Saturday, July 21, 2018

Rust Backgrounds with Distress Oxides

Hello, happy Saturday everyone!! Have you seen Tim Holtz's video introducing the newest release of Distress Oxides? After watching the video I realized the importance of swatches. It was from seeing the swatch of Vintage Photo that my brain instantly thought RUST!!! I also walked away realizing the importance of letting your backgrounds air dry for the full effect.




Inks used Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap, Iced Spruce, Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber. 


Additional supplies Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Distress Spray Bottle, Blending Tool, and Micro Glaze. 


I used 200 Series Strathmore Watercolor paper since it's what I had on hand. 

I followed the same steps using all 4 of the main colors. 


Smoosh pad across paper. Leave some white space for the color to move and to pick up highlights later. 


Spray generously. I like to have a couple larger pools and some finer areas for the added variance. 


 Set aside to dry. Here is an example of the difference between air drying and drying with a heat gun. The example on the left was air dried. Look at all that oxidation!! Such a difference!! 


If I am going to emboss my background I do so after inking and spraying the page since you need to mist your paper when using the new 3D Texture Fade folders. This does push some of the color into the page but don't worry it adds character. Set aside to dry. 

Here is a great video on the basics of using 3D Texture Fades. 



Once the first layer has dried spray again. This round I did large droplets. Set aside to dry again. Once the pieces have air dried I heat set them just to be sure. 


Using a blending tool blend Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the entire piece. This makes the brown and orange undertones pop. Spray lightly and set aside to dry.

 In this photo, I have only blended the right side as an example.


Another wonderful tip I learned from Tim's video is the importance of using your Media Mat properly. The white silicone mat makes a big difference when smooshing your piece into wet ink. 

Smoosh some Fossilized Amber onto your mat and spray with water. Wiggle your fingers thru the ink to move it around. Dip your paper randomly into the ink. 



Some of the drops were larger than I wanted so I lightly mopped them up using a baby wipe. Set aside to dry. 

After your pieces have dried go thru and add finishing details. Such as adding another layer of Vintage Photo Distress Ink, blending on more Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide, adding highlights with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide. Set aside to dry one final time if sprayed again. 




The last step is to add a layer of Micro Glaze. I love how a thin layer of glaze really melds all the layers together and offers a slight sheen. The example above shows the right side with a layer of glaze. 

If you haven't used Micro Glaze yet it's very easy to use. With a blending tool blend a thin layer over background and buff with a clean paper towel.





Following are some notes I wanted to share. Mainly so I can remember the next time I try to make these backgrounds. 


These are both Frayed Burlap following all the same steps except the right has been embossed after the first spray. The difference in color was unique and surprising. 


These are both Vintage Photo following all the same steps except the example on the left is sprayed with a mixture of instant coffee instead of water. The tones are slightly deeper. 








Before Micro Glaze


After Micro Glaze. See how the layer of glaze really highlights the rust and copper tones that were hiding out. 


Frayed Burlap- Top example was sprayed an extra time after air drying the first time. It really brought out the blues!! Middle was done following all the steps as noted. Bottom was embossed after inking and spraying. 


Iced Spruce- Top was sprayed an extra time and flicked with very watered down Cracked Pistachio Oxide. Middle followed the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 


Walnut Stain- Top followed all the steps above. Bottom was embossed after inked and sprayed. 



Vintage Photo- Top was embossed after being inked and sprayed. Bottom was ink, sprayed and air dried then sprayed and embossed. There is a slight color difference 



Vintage Photo- Top followed all steps above. Bottom I did not spray after the Vintage Photo Distress Ink layer. The oxide effect is more prominent. 




Added rust details- Top sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with instant coffee granules and heated. Middle sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with cinnamon powder. Bottom sprayed with Distress Resist Spray and sprinkled with Paper Artsy rusting powder and activated with vinegar.


The top example was sprayed and embossed after the layer of Micro Glaze.  The 3D effect isn't as prominent as the bottom layer that was sprayed and embossed after being inked. 


And don't forget to save your baby wipes!! Look at that rusty goodness. 


Look at all those beautiful colors!! I am kicking myself for not making swatches sooner. 

I am so inspired to continue exploring these inks. I am usually in the middle of a project when I try to make the perfect background but then I rush it and it never turns out. Now I realize I need to take the time to play and explore!! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and maybe walk away with a bit of inspiration. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I would love if you'd leave a comment and let me know you stopped by!! ~ Happy Creating

51 comments:

  1. These are FABULOUS, love��love��LOVE!!! I'm going to have to try the technique of letting it air dry-- do a bunch at night and see what they look like in the morning...TFS��

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    1. Thank you!! And yes definitely give air drying a chance!! It was a game changer for me.

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  2. what an awesome post - love all the examples and test runs you did. So informative.

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    1. Thank you Paula!! It was one of those snowball effects of what ifs.

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  3. One of the best step by step tutorials .thanks for sharing

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  4. WOW... wonderful tutorial ... I like seeing your first hand experience with oxides ...inspiration for sure !

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  5. So cool Jennalee! Thanks for sharing all the variations in color and how they happened. It was fascinating to see and read! I’ll be working on backgrounds today so this will be fun to try!

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    1. Thank you Tamera!! It’s truly amazing the different variations that happen with just some water!! Hope you had fun playing.

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  6. So much great info!! I may have to give this a try immediately!! Thanks so much for an amazing tutorial!

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    1. Thank you Cathy!! Let me know if you try. I know you’ll have fun !!

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  7. Fantastic tutorial, love all your examples!

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  8. Ohhhh wonderful tutorial...really made me want to get my colors out and play...thanks for taking the time to share

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    1. Thanks for stopping by!! And yes pull out those inks!!

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  9. Awesome "rusted" backgrounds, thanks for the details for these techniques!

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  10. just absolutely amazing tutorial. thanks for all of the details, comparisons, and tips! love it all...

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  11. Brilliant tutorial. Thank you. Will definitely try this.

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    1. Thank you!! I hope you do try it’s so fun to play!!

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  12. Your work is absolutely amazing. I have tried to find your Pinterest Page, so I could follow you. I seem to be having some difficulty. I came up with your work but not your page.

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    1. Thanks so much!! I am on Pinterest but horrible at keeping it up to date. I post my full art journey on my Instagram if you are on there.

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  13. Great information...I too, need to play and explore with these inks...thanks for the jumping off point, maybe this will give me the extra push to jump in...

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    1. Thank you!! I always forget how important it is to play and explore. I hope you make time to pull out your Inks!!

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  14. For me this is one of the best! Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Great tutorial!!! Thanks for all the tips!

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    1. Thank you!! I hope you give it a try and have fun experimenting!!

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  16. Your rust backgrounds look fantastic. (And your art would be a good entry for this week's Take A Word challenge of Steampunk.)

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  17. The examples you posted are just great. Making my fingers itchy, wanting to try some of these. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Thanks for the tutorial it was great. It makes me want to play.

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    1. Thank you Judy!! Yes get those inks out and play away!!

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  19. OMG! You are so incredibly talented! Thank you SO much for your detailed photos and notes! You're a doll for sharing!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for those kind words!! I so appreciate it!!

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  20. Thank you!!! Fun, inspiring, informative. So great of you to share!

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  21. Do you know who has these fades in stock? In SLC??
    I can’t find ��

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    1. I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby. Good luck finding them!!

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  22. Thank you for sharing. I love your examples and all the details.

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  23. I am so impressed with your fabulous DOX inks photo tutorials, Jennalee. I found you on Pinterest. Thank you so much for sharing your many samples and explaining your techniques. Hugs..Nancy

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    1. Thank you Nancy!! I really appreciate that great feedback. I'm so glad I took so many pictures so that I can go back and reference this post when I make my next round of backgrounds.

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  24. Just getting started in this medium.
    Managed to get this folder & need to learn rusting techniques.Seems intimidating,I'm late to the party,but rusty & grungy is my favourite thing!
    Going to give it a shot as best i can figure. Thank you for this post!

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  25. Hi, I’ve just come across this post on Pinterest. I own Oxide inks but never know how to use them to their full potential so don’t and revert back to my Distress inks. I will definitely be getting them back out and giving these backgrounds a go

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  26. Just came across this post on Pinterest. I have oxides but have never really known how to use them to their full potential so never use them. I’m definitely going to start making these samples

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  27. Really great expirements!!! Thank you for sharing!

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