Sure, Water Painters are great for watercoloring images, but what if the cardstock base is dark? How is it possible to paint a lighter tone when the paper is already dark? Answer: Bleach. You can actually paint bleach onto your project to bleach out the cardstock!
I know, it may sound a little crazy, but this technique has been around forever and it’s so striking on dark colored cardstock.
This is one of the 4 projects that I’m featuring in my Monthly LovenStamps Tutorials for August – available as a print-at-home PDF with cutting directions, a coordinating supply list plus photos and step-by-step instructions. LovenStamps Monthly Tutorials are free with any size order in my online store.
EDITED TO ADD 9/27/21: Love this project? Want to see other Celebrate Sunflowers projects – and get a downloadable PDF tutorial that will also teach you about stamping with bleach? Good news!! The LovenStamps Celebrate Sunflowers PDF Tutorial (4 projects from August 2020) is available for purchase in the LovenStampsCardMart on Etsy!
Even more good news? Yes! From now until the end of October 2021, I’m offering a special coupon – get as many of my currently posted LovenStamps Archives tutorials as you’d like for 30% off! Visit my store at Etsy and use special code LOVENOCT30.
A few tips for working with bleach and cardstock:
- Be sure your bleach is fresh. A gallon of bleach at room temps will degrade in about a year. And degraded bleach is no good for us – it won’t bleach your cardstock, let alone your clothes.
- Use caution and know where your bleach droplets are flying. It’s a clear liquid – be careful to keep it away from things you don’t want bleached.
- Make yourself a bleach ‘ink’ pad. Fold a paper towel in quarters and place in an empty stamp case. Pour a tiny bit of bleach in to make the pad. Droplets along the edge can be used for watercoloring as in my video tutorial.
- Remember that different batches of the same Stampin’ Up! cardstock color may bleach out to different tones. I explain this in the video – it has to do with the paper pulp used to make the cardstock. Be sure to do a test bit of your cardstock from the same package to be sure you like the bleached color.
Finally, be sure to use a really good quality brush for painting with bleach. The new Water Painters from Stampin’ Up! are fabulous. You can see the detail in the video tutorial – the tips are sooo fine and the results are great. Just be sure you wash your tips thoroughly when you’re done with the bleach part.
Steps for Watercoloring with Bleach:
- Stamp your image on dark cardstock, then use the tip of a Water Painter to pick up a tiny bit of bleach. Paint the bleach onto your image, allowing time for bleach to work.
- Allow bleach to dry completely, then clean Water Painter tip. Create an ink pool by pressing an extra clear acrylic block onto a Classic Ink Pad. Use the Water Painter tip to pick up ink and paint color back onto bleached areas.
- Overlay more colors with Water Painter and more clear block ink pools.
Why let the bleach dry before painting on color? Because wet bleach will just bleach out the color you’re trying to add back!
I’m really loving my new Water Painters – be sure to watch the video tutorial here to pick up ideas on making the most of your tools, and my earlier lesson with tips on regular watercolor with the Water Painters.
View below or use the link to view directly on my LovenStamps YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there!
Ready to stamp?
Don’t forget that your order can qualify you for LovenStamps Perks Points and LovenStamps Card Kits “To Go” when you use a hostess code! Check out the details on earning Perks Points and Card Kits with your order. August Tutorials are available through August 31!!
Products You’ll Want for Stamping at Home (click images to order online – or use my 1-click Add-to-Cart ordering):
Happy Stamping!
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Shop the Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalog, new suites and collections are available now!
- Want a little? Place an order!
- When you order: use August Hostess Code (7M9NA9KE). Earn 1 LovenStamps Perks Point for every $25 you order online, plus LovenStamps Card Kits “To Go” with an order of $50 or more!
- Want a lot? Host a party – or be your own hostess with a large online order! (Stampin’ Rewards begin at $150 in orders)
- Want it ALL? Join my LovenStampfuls demonstrator family
Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog:
Now open for ordering!
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Time for the “August – December 2020 Mini Catalog,” aka the Holiday Catalog.
- Check out suites and supplies for your projects.
- Be sure to request a copy of the paper catalog if you haven’t received one already.
- Shop the Holiday Catalog now in my online store.