Artsy Inkers
Stamping/Crafting Fests! => Older Fests => Winterfest 2015 => Topic started by: lovepug2 on February 14, 2015, 12:28:16 PM
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For this challenge, we will be doing gesso resist. This is a fun way to get an almost embossed look for your stamped image with less work!
How to-
Using a paintbrush or foam brush, lightly paint on a layer of gesso. Make sure you get the entire image covered. Next, stamp your image onto your paper.
Set aside to dry. I don't reccomend drying it with a heat gun because it might cause the gesso to bleed. It typically doesn't take very long for it to dry,maybe half hour at most.
Once dry, you can sponge on distress inks or any other type of ink and with either a baby wipe or dry cloth, wipe away the ink off of the image.
Make your project into a card, ATC, tag,bookmark, scrapbook page, etc.
link your project here when done.
Tips and tricks-
Any gesso will work fine. I have a thinner kind and it works well.
Clear stamps will work but Ive learned that red rubber ones work best.
You also will want to avoid any really detailed images. With this technique they can get a little smudgy.
Watercolor or really thick cardstock hold up best with this technique.
For inking up uour image, I've ecperiemented with various inks and mediums. I got the best results with gelatos and distress inks.
Make sure you wash your stamp off very well immediately after use. I can imagine once dry, it's hard to get gesso off your image.
There will be a RAK for this chosen randomly. Combining with other challenges is fine with me too.
Here's a link to a card k did with gesso
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=886
Here an atc done too
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1020
I hope you'll play along!
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Looks like fun!
Stampwilly
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I'm looking forward to playing with this technique.
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Love your sample! Looking forward to playing! #>
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This sounds fun. I need to think about what kind of stamp will work for this technique. Thank you for hosting.
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Yeah! The gesso stamping I've been wanting up do!
LeighAnn when you say use a sponge brush (which I do have) do I need to wash that out every time I use it after I'm done brushing the gesso onto the stamp?
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I can't wait to play with this challenge Leigh Ann! Bring on the gesso!
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Melissa, I would wash the foam brush because it will ruin it. I think gesso dries faster than acrylic paints.
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Melissa - you may want to just keep a plastic cup with water handy so you can rise the brush as you go.
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Good idea y'all...I'll be sure to clean them up as I use them. O0
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Gesso resist is not my friend. My first try was an epic fail. There was no resist. I don't think I got enough gesso on the stamp and I think the stamps I used were too small and too detailed.
Attempt 2 came out meh but usable. I put more gesso on but as I wanted to combo this with the window challenge, I persisted in using smaller stamps and they just don't work well with the gesso. Or at least not with the gesso I have. But it did turn out ok enough that I'm going to use it.
I've got one more piece I stamped but haven't had a change to ink up yet. Hopefully, third time is the charm. For that one, I used a big background stamp by Hero Arts that is not very detailed. I'll try inking it tomorrow.
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Oh no, Sarah!
I've experimented with this and noticed that images with bolder fat lines and less detail tend to work best for it. I've had some luck with detailed images but not great.
I hope third time is a charm! Sorry you're having trouble.
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I am having trouble choosing a stamp, but I think tomorrow I am just going to have to try some. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Sarah.
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I think the third one should work.
I'm also thinking about trying this stamp: flower bird garden (http://www.heroarts.com/products/productInfo.cfm?ItemNo=CG270&subCat=D05) It could be interesting.
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I think the third one should work.
I'm also thinking about trying this stamp: flower bird garden (http://www.heroarts.com/products/productInfo.cfm?ItemNo=CG270&subCat=D05) It could be interesting.
Thanks, that gave me an idea!
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Sarah, I love that image! And I think it will be perfect for this with those bold lines.
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I am having a little trouble. I got my image and it dried, then I tried wiping distress ink over top with the baby wipe, but it wiped some of the gesso off too, like it rewet it? Was it that the gesso wasn't completely dry to begin with or can you rewet it? This is the first time I have worked with it. I used Faber Castel gesso, it seems fairly thin. I had no trouble sponging and stamping it.
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Heidi, it's possible. I haven't tried their gesso but maybe it takes a while to dry. My baby wipe I used was a little dry because I didn't have the packaged closed up well.
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Gesso takes longer to dry then you think. It reminds me of the house paint years ago, where the top would get a skin on it, but under was still wet!
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I did a card using the gesso resist on the background and broke all the rules (suggestions) while I was doing it. I used acrylic stamps, I dried the gesso with a heat tool, and I used distress stain and water on top. I think it turned out pretty good, so apparently breaking the rules works for me.
WF15 Gesso Resist Bird Card. (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1085&message_id=e884e8a72743410366c4fa52096a38ad&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
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Yankee, you're right. I tried it again and an hour later, it's still a little damp. I need to change my opening post!
Sadie, you rule breaker :D! I love your card and love it even more that you broke the "rules"! That bird is a hoot! Fantastic card:)
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I posted mine in the gallery. But I have done this before and took me lots of times to get it I way I wanted. I just love the way the gesso looks like it is part of the background. My favorite attemps have been the bird in the cage or the tree.
Two tricks in doing this card, use a flat paint brush to apply the gesso to stamp, let dry forever.
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I definitely think part of my problems has been that the gesso isn't sufficiently dry. Because third time was not the charm. And after inking it up, I noticed white mixed in with the distress inks smooshed on my craft mat. So I think I've been pulling up the gesso when applying the top layer of ink. And I left that piece to dry overnight.
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Yankee, I just love your card! The birdcage turned out excellent!
As for drying times, I'm wondering if paper makes a difference too?
I'm going to experiment with some different papers and see if it makes any difference.
Heidi and Sarah, Im so sorry you all are having trouble. It's frustrating when techniques don't go as planned. I hope your next tries will work out.
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Here is my combo card. I wasn't thrilled with the gesso resist bits because I just don't think the white is showing up as much as it should. And the flower on the window box was not done with gesso.
Combo Card (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1090&message_id=1f1895c6fc8c1d49310cfb646b5fae45&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
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I have a confession to make, I asked my hubby when you mentioned we would need Gesso if he had any since he does alot of art work, he said oh yes, well when I asked for it to do this project all he could find was Liquitex Gel Medium in Glossy Heavy gel, well I thought what the heck I will give it a try.... well it is very thick and I had a heck of a time getting it on the stamp well, it dried very thick in some spots and thin in others, so I decided to just use my distress inks to color and not worry about staying in the lines, this is my attempt:
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=1101#top_display_media
Sorry I didn't use gesso but wanted to try it and not wait for getting out to a store. I let mine dry over night, but some of it still peeled off a bit when adding the distress inks.
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Connie yours is beautiful. I have some Liquitex Flexible modeling paste, I wonder if I should just give it a try too. Although I am hoping my latest gesso piece will work!
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It would be worth giving it a try :)
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I leave mine dry overnight, but it is dry here in the desert. I have read that wet areas take longer.
Yes the thickness of the paper does make a difference. This one I used watercolor paper and it still dryed overnight.
The first time I tried this was with another group and I did several attempts all terrible. The next challenge was a year later and someone offered a site with a video. The lady said you must let it dry overnight. So I did and I love the results. I keep trying different papers and different stuff over the gesso. I tried ink, paint, gelatoes, and now watercolor. I have been happy with all I have made.
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Thanks Leigh Ann I had lots of fun with your challenge. I decided I wanted to create my resist on paper from a dictionary page-yup so thin you can see the writing on the back side. My Liquitex gesso is very thick so I mixed well with my palette knife on my craft sheet before brushing a thin layer on my stamp. It dried in a few moments with the encouragement of the heat gun. Swiped distress stain over the entire piece and dried. Brush a light coat of Golden Gold fluid acrylic piece over the top and dried. Wiped with a damp rag over the entire piece. Love the highlights of gold! Thanks for hosting Leigh Ann!
Here is my link, (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=1103#top_display_media)
...Jan
PS...Hope you looked close enough to see the printed dictionary page through the gesso and a tad of the gold paint on the sides of the flower.
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Here is my card. Thanks for a fun and new to me technique! This worked very well. I combined this with the something old/something new challenge since my stamp is very old and the technique is new. Thanks for a fun challenge.
Stampwilly
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pid=1108#top_display_media
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I keep having poor results with my trys. I think I am going to try a really chunky stamp next!
Also, is anyone else using the Faber Castel Gesso and are the two things that work well over it sponged distress inks and Gelatos? TY
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Heidi-Sorry you are having a tough go with this technique...I know that can be discouraging. I don't know about F-C gesso but in general folks say the Gelatos and distress inks are the best for this technique. Gesso's main purpose is to make a primer barrier so other products don't leak through....perhaps if you are using watercolor paper...moisture is not escaping from the little pockets in the paper. If the back of the paper is cold generally that means the paper is still wet. Anyways it might be worth a try to use a lighter weight paper. Also in general a lightly misted cloth/paper towel is suggested for rubbing off the ink.
I found I didn't need but a thin coat of gesso for the resist to work.
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I don't know if you all get the emails from Michaels but they have the whole line of Liquitex products on sale for 40% off right now and they also have an extra 20% off all sale price items coupon through the 28th of this month, not sure if it is online only or if that is in stores too :angel:
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Thanks, I think I tonight I will try one on watercolor paper with distress ink and one on regular cardstock with distress inks. I do not have any gelatos.
I did try my Liquitex Flexible Modeling paste and it dries really nicely and is a bit more raised that the gesso. It is a neat look. But then I tried some of the shimmer sprays over it (I saw someone do this in a video) but it didn't rub off so well.
I reallly like the look you all are getting and am determined!
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Heidi, I think my gesso is FC. I am not upstairs where I can see it. I used regular card stock and then used the smoosh technique where I swiped my piece through water spritzed distress inks. Hope you have good luck this time.
Stampwilly
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So many wonderful entries! I love them all. I've enjoyed reading through the thread and picking up tips along the way. This has definitely been a learning experience!
Heidi, I know you'll get it to work! I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with of but glad you are determined to get it!
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I have a question....Am I suppose to be peeling the gesso off after I am finish coloring over it?
I thought I was suppose to take the gesso off, but cannot get it off with rubbing or with an eraser.... ???
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I have a question....Am I suppose to be peeling the gesso off after I am finish coloring over it?
I thought I was suppose to take the gesso off, but cannot get it off with rubbing or with an eraser.... ???
No Melissa the gesso is not taken off, only cleaned. As with all resists once the resist product dries the coloring is added over it and all around it where you want coloring. Once the coloring is dry take a lightly misted rag and gently remove the color from the gesso (or other resist).
Happy creating!...Jan
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I finally have success. I think the trick was to use regular cardstock. And I did heat it to dry it.
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1121&message_id=e8cbfe440d9ac8efd40eb34a57a4a82f&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock
Thanks for this great challenge!
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I think the trick was to use regular cardstock.
I used reg CS and am having trouble getting the colors to come off before the CS starts peeling... :-\ I was going to try watercolor paper this afternoon....
I mean the gesso lighten up some but nothing like what I see in the gallery...and now my BG is lightening too b/c it's peeling off. I started using a wet t-shirt and that seemed to go to peeling real quick so I used a sea sponge I haven't got to use before and that helped so much! It didn't peel for awhile, but not much color came off the gesso either....
I only used distress ink pad (sponged on) and a silver Faber-Castel gelato stick....
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Melissa, my paper towel was only the tiniest bit wet. I can see how your paper would fray if you used anything remotely wet on it otherwise.
I wonder if it is the type of gesso you use and type of paper combined. None of the watercolor paper things I tried worked at all. I also tried Bristol board paper with no luck.
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Awesome results Heidi ;D So glad it was the paper and not the gesso which would have been so much harder to determine.
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Oh maybe I have too much water in the t-shirt and the sponge. I will try with less water...Thanks Heidi!
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Melissa, I wonder if you are having more problem with the gelatos coming off the gesso? Do they blend different on the gesso? perhaps they are not as good for resisting gesso as they would be for straight coloring the gesso.
Yep, it definitely sounds like too much water on your rag. Might even try lightly buffing off the color before misting your cloth. If your gesso is real thin like mine you may have streak marks in some areas where the gesso is really thin resist.... I like that added character and didn't attempt to remove every teensy bit.
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I haven't used gelatos before so I do not know really what to expect---I saw on a video once where the girl made a line with her gelato stick and rubbed it in with her finger and it blended so fast! I tried to do the same and after a bit it did start blending into the BG---maybe my fingers were too cold to begin with. But it kinda coated the gesso in a silver color--kinda looked silver-leafed! But I think that came off when I started rubbing.
The gelatos remind me of some eyeshadows I used to see in the store--not sure what they are called, but I remember them being creamy---looked like eyeshadow mixed with a thick cream to me, but I never wore them since I knew they'd come off with how my eyelids are (and I don't wear makeup now so I'm not sure they make it anymore).
From what I can tell, my gesso is real thin--despite it is thick on the sponge---but it stamped real thin. I let it dry overnight with out really meaning to, but never got back to it. I think I was just trying to get ever bit of color off ....
Thank you Jan for your help too! I'm determined to figure this out bc the results are so neat!
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even though I used gel medium instead of gesso, I took a baby wipe very softly over mine and it came right up, I don't think it needs to be very damp at all.
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Thanks Connie for the suggestion! I'll try less water.
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Hooray, Heidi! I'm so glad you were able to get it to work. Love your card!
More good tips! Thanks Jan and Connie O0
Melissa, I like playing with gelatos but find them a little tricky to work with. I wonder if you need a fixative to set them?
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I'm wondering if I am applying the gesso wrong--I have been brushing it on using a sponge brush....maybe I should pounce it instead on the stamp with the foam brush.
I made another BG on watercolor paper and the gesso doesn't really lighten at all---it's like I colored the gesso instead of it resisting it...unless my gesso is not a good quality (I have Michael's brand, Artist's Loft).
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I'm wondering if I am applying the gesso wrong--I have been brushing it on using a sponge brush....maybe I should pounce it instead on the stamp with the foam brush.
I made another BG on watercolor paper and the gesso doesn't really lighten at all---it's like I colored the gesso instead of it resisting it...unless my gesso is not a good quality (I have Michael's brand, Artist's Loft).
IDK if it helps, but I did do the pouncing with my foam brush. Maybe try heat setting it if you haven't tried that yet?
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Melissa--LeighAnn said "Using a paintbrush or foam brush, lightly paint on a layer of gesso." So that is what I did. I did not bounce I used a foam brush and painted the gesso on my stamp. However Heidi said she bounced successfully so that must not be an issue. I use the black foam brush-10/$1 variety. I am not familiar with a sponge brush. My gesso was thick not thin as LA suggested so I smoothed it out a little by pressing it with my palette knife against my craft mat and that made it smooth and easier to add to coat my stamp.
Have you tried just using the distress inks? You mentioned earlier you were trying to use a silver gelato....there are no metallic colors in the distress inks nor regular watercolors since they also contain metals and other properties and they react differently.
I agree with trying to dry with heat gun.
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I used distress inks and then drew a line with the gelato across the page that I rubbed in. Then I rubbed the stamped areas only and all them do not lighten....
I meant foam brush, Jan---I got "sponge brush" on my mind b/c of the sponge applicators used with the distress inks.
Now when y'all suggest heat gun--am I to use the heat gun to dry the gesso after i have cleaned up my stamps and foam brush?
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Now when y'all suggest heat gun--am I to use the heat gun to dry the gesso after i have cleaned up my stamps and foam brush?
yes :)
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I have my gesso image stamped and dried. I understand that part. Now comes the part I am struggling with. Am I to color the stamped image or the background. I just can't get my head wrapped around this. My first image was a butterfly with open spaces and the second is a background stamp with positive and negative spaces.
Pretty much decided to use the flower background stamp because of the positive and negative areas. Probably will use it for an ATC. Now how to color it.
I hope I have made myself clear. I will put this aside for now and work on another project.
Help.
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Ann - like with other resist techniques, you color over the whole piece and then wipe off the gessoed area. The gesso is supposed to resist the ink.
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Ann, Sarah is right. I found that distress inks tend to work the easiet for me.
I can't wait to see your alls entries, Melissa and Ann!
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I thought it was funny that I saw a new blog post today for this technique: http://ablognamedhero.blogspot.com/2015/02/gesso-resist-technique.html
LeighAnn is a trendsetter!
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WTG LeighAnn, you trendsetter! TY for the link Heidi!
I am going to have to take a photo and show y'all the three I did---all are not white--just darker colors of what I used to distress....which is neat too, just not what the resist is suppose to do....I think it's my gesso, bc remember how I had it crack on my journal page a few months ago and others said they have not had gesso crack on them before.....though at the time I thought it was the embossing I was covering up that cracked it....but maybe not.....
I'm still going to make my samples into something b/c they look nice--well except for the first one that has peeled CS...
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Here is my card for this challenge. I really did enjoy this challenge and will be using using it again.
Thanks for the challenge
http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1164&message_id=aacc7ac1986cd0ea6f02d3d837f06853&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock
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Heidi, that's so funny! Watch out, if Jennifer McGuire does a video on it there will be a shortage on gesso! Anytime she does a video using a certain stamp or product it's almost impossible to find it!
Ann, I love your card. glad you liked the technique!
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I attached my samples to this post that I've been have trouble with.
The CS on the left, is basic CS and is the 1st attempt and has peeled etc.
The middle one is watercolor paper, so no peeling, but no lightening really.
The right on is bristol paper and is the last attempt using more gesso and including a different stamp too and trying distress stain at the top.
With all the samples, only some lightening occurred---but the last one did have the most lightening, so maybe my gesso is too thin when it stamps.....but I will say that water was not lightening it too much so I switched to a baby wipe and that took off a little more---maybe I need a soap?
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I had a lot of similar discards before I got one that worked. To me, it looks like the left regular cardstock has an area that did resist. But the peeling is an issue. I wonder if gesso can go bad? Thanks for sharing Melissa.
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Melissa what brand of gesso are you using?
The first thing my directions say (Liquitex) is to stir well. The thinness of the gesso should not be the problem...look at my card and you can see through the gesso and see the dictionary print showing through. So I wonder if you are not getting the gesso's barrier properties dispersed evenly throughout the container. Are you diluting the gesso with water?...that breaks down the barrier properties. If thinning is needed matte medium should be used.
No I don't think you should need to try soap! The ink should be only minimally be on the surfaced of the gesso...a very light rubbing and only a slighty damp cloth should remove the ink.
I too use distress stain but only went over it once...looks like you saturated the paper with ink. Good luck.
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The first thing my directions say (Liquitex) is to stir well.
:o Oh! I have never stirred my gesso! :o Maybe that's my problem with everything--the cracked journal page and this resist trouble!
I have Michael's brand "Artist's Loft" Gesso (link (http://www.michaels.com/artists-loft-white-gesso/M10999016.html#q=gesso&start=4))---and there are no directions on the product or their website.
Thanks for the comments and tips Heidi and Jan! I really do appreciate it and I am sure I'll figure this out---even if I just end up getting another brand all together.
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Here is the card I made with the last sample:
flower gesso card (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1186&message_id=02292f507cab996ce8f820d36e6c79ac&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
Thank you LeighAnn for hosting a fun challenge---I learned alot and am still learning! :)
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I finally had a piece turn out like it is supposed to. And I figured out that my issue was definitely a drying issue. I found on my desk a piece I stamped with the gesso last weekend and didn't do anything with because I was having such issues with this technique. So I figured I would give it a try. And viola, it worked. The gesso actually resisted the Distress Ink. Stupid humidity in Florida. So now I've got 3 unfinished projects for this challenge I need to get a move on finishing.
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I noticed one of my bottles I got a month or so ago at HL on clearance says Liquitex CLEAR gesso and it's in a bottle. I'm going to try it later after I found this website using it to do a stamping resist. link for using clear gesso (https://snapguide.com/guides/diy-a-resist-background/)
Now I am still going to first go mix my gesso up as Jan's brand says to do as my last attempt to use the gesso I have.
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Here are my last three pieces.
The first is the one I created with the Hero Arts background stamp that I mentioned last weekend. The resist didn't come out as well as I hoped but I like how it looks.
Pink and Yellow Resist (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1190&message_id=ae7b53b59a79f9fde2ec92ed75ae6b90&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
This is another of the ones I did last week. Again, the resist did not show up as much as I was hoping for. It is going to be a birthday card from my mother-in-law.
Birthday Card (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1191&message_id=844d8d5ddfe3ea66fdd18468ad0a7ab8&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
This last one is the one that I let sit for a week before adding the color to and the resist worked the best on it.
Fingerprint Butterflies (http://www.duhnproductions.com/Pics/displayimage.php?pid=1192&message_id=b15d3eb95ff10cf9f9c9291654b7399a&message_icon=info#cpgMessageBlock)
Now that I know the key is letting it sit for a week, I may give this technique another go. Thanks for a great challenge.
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Sorry I didn't get a chance to get on here yesterday but I just finished checking out the last entries and I put everyone's name in a hat. I had my littlest one draw a name since my big helper is at school today. He pulled out a name, then tried to eat it of course.
And the winner is......
Heidi!
Congrats! I loved learning so much from this challenge and seeing everyone's work. I wish I could RAK everyone for playing O0. Heidi, I have your address and will get your RAK out today or tomorrow!
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Oh, how exciting! Thanks so much LeighAnn.
This was a tough challenge, but it is so satisfying to get a nice result after much hard work and trying again. I am happy to have the gesso around now because I found some other techniques to try with it. Actually, I went looking for some, and saw that I had already pinned some cards that used gesso and did not even know it! lol
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Congrats, Heidi.
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Congratulatins Heidi! And thank you LeighAnn for hosting this challenge--I liked learning it despite I didn't get as white of results as I hoped with my gesso. Going to try again this week!