Sunday, July 10, 2016

Ghosting Technique Video Tutorial


Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a video tutorial on the Ghosting Technique (sometimes called Faux Bleaching or Water Stamping).

I used three different types of card stock, along with three different types of colouring mediums to show the variety of looks you can get with this technique. They all start with a dry, inked background, and then the "ghosting" can begin.

Below the video is a detailed written description of the ghosting technique.  All three cards in this post are made from the backgrounds done in the video.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch the video.  You can watch it on YouTube by clicking HERE.  I'd appreciate a "thumbs up" if you find it helpful. :)  Thank you!





The first segment of the video is ghosting using distress inks (see card sample above).  Since the background is sponged (no water used), you have the option of using regular card stock, watercolour paper or mixed media paper.  I used regular card stock (Neenah 110 lb.) for the card above, randomly sponging with two colours of distress inks.  Distress inks work really well for this technique as they react well with water.

Once you have your inked background, the ghosting technique is always the same. Add water, let sit for 10-15 seconds, and then remove with a paper towel.  You can use a stencil, stamp or just flick water.


IMPORTANT TIP:  If using a stencil, make sure to remove the stencil quickly after spritzing with water so the stenciled images stay crisp.  If the stencil is left on the wet surface for long, the water seeps underneath the stencil and blurs the images.

* * * * *

Ghosting with Watercolour Sprays on Watercolour Paper

For the second card, I used watercolour paper saturated with two colours of watercolour sprays.  You can use watercolour paper or mixed media paper for the sprays.  Regular card stock will not hold up with all the water content of the sprays.

It is important to use "freshly" made backgrounds when using watercolour paper for this technique.  Pulling out one from a stash will not work well.  Not sure why, but assume the ink absorbs into the watercolour paper and over time becomes permanent.

Again, just added a stencil over top, spritzed with water, removed stencil right away, waited for the water to activate the inks (10-15 seconds) and blotted with a paper towel.  The watercolour paper will be wet after the ghosting technique.  As it dries, the contrast between the background and the ghosted images becomes greater.  You are left with a subtler ghosting image when using watercolour paper.

* * * * *

Ghosting with Brushos on Mixed Media paper

Here's the third card from my video.  This time I started with Brushos (3 colours) on mixed media paper.  You could use watercolour paper or mixed media paper with Brushos, but not regular card stock.

I just flicked some water onto the dry, inked background, left it for 10-15 seconds, and then blotted up with paper towel.  You can see the large bleached splatters in the background.

Because I used Sponging to create my blue and brown background, I'm entering the first card into the Just Us Girls Challenge #351 - Sponging.

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!







Create without Fear card:
Stamps:  Subway Art Buiders Create (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black (gifted to me by my friend Christine)
Ink:  Distress Ink:  Peacock Feathers, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, Clock stencil (Tim Holtz), water mister, Copper Frantage Embossing Enamel (Stampendous), heat tool

Leafy Hello card:
Stamps:  The Big, the bold, the happy (Winnie & Walter)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Watercolour sprays made from Liquid Watercolor Concentrate (Dick Blick)
Accessories & Tools:  Leafy stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo), water mister, white embossing powder, heat tool, Rose die-cuts (gifted to me by my friend Bonnie)

Sunset Silhouette card:
Stamps:  Effulgence (Penny Black); Sentiment - Where your heart is (Simon Says)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. - 400 Series)
Ink:  Brushos:  Lemon, Orange, Brilliant Red; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Black embossing powder, heat tool, Black acrylic paint and Gold acrylic paint for splattering (Liquitex)

Challenges:
Just Us Girls #351 - Sponging


35 comments:

Daria said...

Beautiful cards! I love the backgrounds you created. Thank you for the video tutorial and the tips you shared.

Daria said...

Beautiful cards! I love the backgrounds you created. Thank you for the video tutorial and the tips you shared.

Bonnie said...

Beautiful examples of the ghosting technique, Loll! Love all the samples! Makes me want to go do some ghosting!

Betty said...

fantastic video Loll - i gave you a thumbs UP!! your samples are so pretty - love them all!

nancy littrell said...

Wow Loll...your video is so helpful and loved your clean and simple video style! Your samples that were at the end of your video were so inspiring and helpful too. I hope to play with your technique today...I am feeling so inspired my friend. TFS all your talents :-)
All 3 of your cards are amazing!!! I love your detailed descriptions. Oh my, but you are talented my friend. Hugs, nancy

Barb Ghig said...

Really gorgeous cards, Loll! I really enjoyed watching your tutorial, too...so many great tips to get the cool effects of this technique, and I'm looking forward to trying it on some of my backgrounds! Thank you so much!

Linda said...

Beautiful cards, Loll. Great videos. I love how quick and precise your videos are.

Kiwigirl said...

Thank you Loll fir the great video and sharing your beautiful cards. I really enjoy your videos and blog!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Fabulous cards Loll and a great tutorial! I will have to give this technique another try, now that you have helped me work out what my mistakes were when I first tried it! Have a great week! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Brenda said...

Love this technique Loll! And love all the beautiful cards you made. I can't believe how much of the ghosting intensifies once the paper is dry. Love, love, love! Now I need to try this with a stencil. Hugs, Brenda

jasann said...

lovely- thanks for the tutorial!!!!!!

A Place for Kia said...

Fabulous, just fabulous - I did a ghosting card today, I messed up a bit, but I still like it. I am getting more into these techniques thanks to you Loll .... thank you!

Nstiz said...

Love your card, Loll and I so enjoyed your video today! Thanks for sharing with us your fun techniques!

Sheila H said...

Fabulous ghosting! I especially appreciate the tip about removing the stencil quickly. Now I know how to avoid the runaway water which had given me fits just last week. (I tossed those efforts.)

sandie said...

Adore these cards Loll, tried to watch the video but no sound however I am away so perhaps it doesn't work in Greece!

Linda said...

Gorgeous cards and a fab video tutorial xx

Anita in France said...

Beautiful cards, Loll ... fabulous to see how you created them ... thanks for the great video! Hugs, Anita :)

Marcia Hill said...

Fabulous video and lovely, lovely cards Loll! Definitely going to be trying this technique out!! :0)

JosieD said...

Loll, thank you so much for this video.... very good, detailed how-to with those important extra tips that make all the difference. Plus pulling together 3 media and papers all in one video. So helpful! Guess what I am going to be doing in my card room today (smiley face).

Mac Mable said...

So inspirational....Love how you've shown us the different techniques so precisely on the video...explained it really well and just love how you do these videos. Big fan of your creativity, thank you x I also learnt about using different CS..I don't always use the right one, silly, but don't want to waste the more expensive card but I will in future. Thank you once again x

Tracey McNeely said...

Thanks for the great video Loll!!

Nancy said...

Love each one of these card Loll! The one you entered at JUUGS is fabulous! You do great videos as well...keep them coming! Thanks for linking up with us over at Just Us Girls.

MaryH said...

Fantastic video! Love the look on each of the backgrounds, ditto the pretty cards created. Especially loved the brusho look, but I'm really blown away by what looks like frontage on the card that starts your post. I want to revisit this technique after seeing the video, because I've not had a lot of success with this. And of course, you got a thumbs up! TFS & taking time to do a video. Hugs

Susan said...

Fabulous cards (especially love the use of the clock stencil and copper frantage on the first one). Thanks for doing such a great video tutorial!

Petra Swart said...

Thank you so much for taking the time to do the video, Loll!!! I really have to start experimenting more with different techniques and you have inspired me with these fabulous cards you've made!!!! I really love the clocks on the first card with the copper splatters on it!!! The second one is beautiful in green and blue with the soft leaves and the pretty die cut flowers and sentiment in white and the third one is simply stunning with the stronger colours and the stamping in black - love the gold and black splatters!!! A trio of loveliness and creativity!!!! Beautifully done!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

Karen Dunbrook said...

love...so well done! You rock.
hugs,
K

Brenda in IN said...

These are just gorgeous. Thanks for the video and the technique.

Susanne Vargas said...

These cards take my breath away! Just watched the video which is very helpful! Need to try this out!

Pamellia said...

Wow Loll, these card are all so gorgeous!! Wonderful results you achieved with this technique and how wonderful to have a video watch. Off I go. hugs :)

Canonbury creations said...

Beautiful cards Loll, brilliant video too!
Val x

Julia Aston said...

Wonderful techniques and beautiful cards Loll! Julia xx

Vicki Dutcher said...

Beautiful cards!! Love the backgrounds Thanks for joining in at JUGS~

Greta said...

Haven't had much luck doing this & now I realize I haven't waited long enough before blotting. Thanks for the instructions, Loll! Your cards are all gorgeous, but I especially love the second one!

Ruth M said...

Thanks so much for the fab video Loll and for the all important tips which guarantee success! I've done water stamping before but had never thought about using a stencil. After watching your video tutorial I had to have a go with a stencil and I loved how it came out! Your cards are all stunning - thanks for always inspiring!

Gill said...

Beautiful!