Welcome back friends.
Today we were thinking about different textures. Texture on layouts and projects has become very predominant in the last couple of years, and with good reason! Both actual and visual texture goes a long way on layouts to create dimension and keeping ones work from looking flat. One way to achieve this look is with splattering paint, dye and other texture mediums—whatever you can think of that would be safe for your photos. Splattering is very similar to using spray mist, but often leaves larger drops as opposed to a fine mist.
There are numerous ways to create a splatter effect. In this thought, we will explore a few of our favorites.
First off, prepare to splatter you will want keep your splattering under control. You can certainly take your project outside, place your work in a box to contain the mess or simply lay out a piece of freezer paper on your worktable. You can even curl the sides of the freezer paper up for better containment. Make sure the waxy side is up and you can just wipe up any excess paint when you are finished.
When using paint, we found that when the paint is on the thin side you will find the splat will be much easier. To begin, mix paint with a little water – test as you add water to see if you like the look of the splatter. If it is too fine, add more paint. If it is too thick, add more water. We suggest using an old toothbrush; make sure it is not the one you currently brush your teeth with (haha). Dip the bristles into the paint mixture, making sure it is saturated, pull back on the bristles with your thumb, and let it fly, just like the kids do to your bathroom mirror! This method gives you a finer splat pattern and is a little more difficult to control. This technique works with both paints and dyes.
A second method to try is to dip the brush end of a good-sized paintbrush into the paint mixture, making sure to saturate, hold over the paper, grab a second paintbrush, tool, dowel, cell phone, and give the saturated brush a good whack. I find that this technique gives you bigger drops and is easier to control by how hard you hit your brush.
A third method requires compressed air, and the spray mist or dyes. We have put together a thoughtorial for you to demonstrate the steps in creating a more dramatic splatter look.
With all methods, you place your splat pattern much like you would if you mist. Think about what the desired effect is going to be. Are you trying to just add a bit of visual interest to an otherwise flat piece of cardstock or do you really want to grunge up your work? Try to direct your splats to best achieve your texture goals. Remember, practice makes perfect, the MORE you try the better your control will become.
Here are a few more thoughts on splattering from the TG's
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Carolyn’s Thought: This was my first try at splattering and loved the results! Although I have misted on my layouts in the past, I had never tried splattering. The only plans that I had when I started my layout was a star red, white, and blue theme since I was scrapping my granddaughter's first 4th of July celebration. I decided to experiment by misting on white cardstock with glimmer ist, using Candy Apple Red and Sapphire Blue. I removed the cap from the bottle and tapped the end of the spray nozzle across my hand, resulting in the large splattering across the paper. I liked the splattering effect and cut the small stars and title tag from that paper. I used the same technique to splatter the large blue and red stars. Since I love using stars, I cut more from different patterned papers and lined them up to the left of my photos, making sure they touched the photos to help ground them to the layout. I chose to stitch the stars with my sewing machine, love the look, and I like knowing they are securely attached. I printed the title using my Creative Lettering Hearts Font and cut the "1st" with my Cricut Cuttin' Up cart, stapling a red & white ribbon to the tag. For embellishments, I cut a star from corrugated cardboard, placing another star, button, and twine for added depth. I printed the date and "celebrate" tag on kraft paper and finished the layout with the "shine" embellishment. I had fun with this thought and love the added texture to my layout!
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Colleen’s Thought: I have never used any type of paint on a layout before. I was a bit scared at the thought of splattering. My first thought when planning the page was that I wanted to use playful pictures. I wasn’t sure if I wanted paint on just the background, or layer some papers on top, so I played around with my papers, deciding to splatter on both the background and patterned papers. Picking the paint colors was easy, but then I had to play around with different brushes and techniques to figure out which I liked the best. I ended up using a brush with firmer bristles and two different techniques. On the bottom of the page, I tapped on the top of the brush, so the drops would fall straight down. In the upper right corner, I flicked the side of the brush, so that they would slanted drops showing more motion. There weren’t too many decisions after that, and the page came together really quickly after fussy cutting the water swirl. I love the bright burst of color the splattering adds to the top, right corner. I can see myself splattering in the future to help add some interest to relatively dull spots on my page.
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Devra’s Thought: I was nervous to try splattering. I've only recently started to use mist and am still getting used to just letting go! For this page, I wanted the droplets look to mimic the sprinkles on the cookies. I chose these photos, because I really couldn't go wrong with the splattering. Wherever the ink landed would be fine. I pulled the sprayers out of my mist bottles and tapped them with a toothbrush to get the ink all over the page. I got bigger drops if I shook the bottle before pulling the sprayer out of the bottle. I used PP with small bits on them, also like the sprinkles. I added a few buttons and brads to the mix for some texture amongst the ink drops. I would do this again. It was fun and fairly easy, as long as you don't spill the bottle of ink.
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Laura’s Thought: I have really embraced paint, mist and splattering! It just brings such a level of playfulness and fun. I think that you can use the splatters to tell another part of the story, like in my layout about water fun. The blue paint spattered about mimics water drops and spray fun associated with water play. To make my splats, I watered down some blue paint, dipped my paintbrush into the paint, held over the layout papers, and smacked the paint filled brush with a second brush until it looked the way I wanted it.
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Jennifer’s Thought: I like to splatter mist when I think my page looks a little too tidy. For once, I remembered to do it before I glued stuff down! (GREAT TIP: When I forget, I cover the design up with wax paper and splatter anyway.) I chose green and aqua to match some accents on the page. I removed the spray nozzle from the mist bottles and shook down, not side to side, where I wanted the splats. I started under the photos to see what it would look like, knowing it would be covered up. When I got the look I wanted, I did continued elsewhere on the page. When I was done, I waited for it to air dry, wishing I'd used a heat tool to set it quicker! (I was at a crop and had forgotten it.) I then glued everything on, and added a few more splats to the upper right where I thought I needed more for balance.
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Erika's thought: I am always looking for details. I love the detail that both misting and splattering. I was a card maker before I was a scrapbooker and when we decided to give some thought to splattering, I knew just what I wanted to share. The splatter effect that used compressed air. I love that I have the "power" to decide what direction my splatter has by which way I direct the air. It is important to use contasting colors and to allow for dry time. Using glossy paper is not absolute but it does make it work easier. If you want to have more fun... put your paper inside a box and get your ink ready and spray the compressed air and the ink drips it gets splattered when the ink hits the air stream!
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We are excited to see your thoughts on splattering. We will be adding a new feature to t*t*d and will be posting more information soon!
Please do add your work of He{art} here on the blog with Mr. Linky and on our facebook page!
I'd love to try using all of the alcohol inks I bought but have also been to scared to try. I also used to sew quite a bit and I'd love to try using fabrics on my layouts too. Thanks for the chance to.win this special issue!