I know a number of you wonder how I get this arty look on my photos.
It involves using Photoshop. And I know not all of you have Photoshop, so I've come up with a way that is easy, quick and everyone can do it.
You ready for it???? We are stamping! Yes stamping directly onto our photo. Or if you prefer, to stamp onto a transparency and then placing it over your image so you aren't so nervous.
I admit stamping is one thing I do little of. I am a nervous stamper, but finally I have it in my head that I go for the random stamping look, not the perfect stamp look, then I can breathe while I am stamping.
So all you need is a selection of stamps that fit the theme of your photo, (type in clear stamps in the search products), or if you prefer a piece of transparency that is trimmed to the size of your photo, a scrap piece of paper to attach your photo to while stamping, and your stamping medium. I've used Tsukineko Brilliance - Moonlight White, Adirondack Dabber - Pearl, and Black Stazon Ink. Each one has their own unique finish. The VersaColor stamps don't dry on a photos or transparencies. (the little cubed colour inks, not the embossing ink). If you are unsure grab an discarded photo or even the trimmings from a previous one and do a test piece. You will need to give it a day to dry to be sure its smudge proof.
***Tips***
- Breathe!!
- I prime all my clear stamps by rubbing it lightly with an old fashion ink rubber. This removes any oily residue that may be left after manufacturing. It allows the stamp to pick up the ink so much better and you don't get that little balls of ink on the stamp. It only needs a light rub. You'll see the stamp goes very slightly opaque. (its a bit like priming a surface before painting so the paint has something to hang on too.)
- Randomly ink the stamp so the finish doesn't look 'blocky'
- I tend to keep the backing sheet on the clear stamps and either use my tape runner to attach it to my clear acrylic block, or I hand hold and finger press along the stamp in random spots.
- Allow the stamp to run off the edge of the photo for a smoother look
- Keep a baby wipe or stamp cleaner handy to wipe off the stamp as soon as you are done with it. I tend to wipe and give a quick scrub with an old toothbrush to make sure the intricate details of the stamp have been cleared of the medium I am using.
- Allow what you have inked to dry for a day. If its cooler it may need a little more time. So why not do a bunch of photos at all at one time and then they will all be ready to work with.
gives this finish
gives this finish
gives this finish
Stazon will dry relatively fast.
You could use Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Distress Ink Pens or the Marvy Le Plume Pens to selectively colour the stamp and use it that way too for a colourful look.
or there are many ready made tranparencies in the shop at differing sizes. go here.
Be sure to check the sizes of them to your project or photo.
Tsukineko StazOn Cleaner
Tsukineko StazOn Jet Black Solvent Ink
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Ranger Adirondack Dabber Acrylic Paints
