Background Techniques #3 - Glossy Accents Resist

For this swap we will be creating an ATC using one of my favorite techniques -- resist!

A resist can be done with wax, inks, paints, and glues. Basically you are covering an area of your design with a "resist" then adding more colors on top. The resist keeps these subsequent layers of colors from sticking to the paper/design.

For this swap you will be using Ranger Glossy Accents for your resist. I love this stuff! It is easy to purchase (JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.), inexpensive, dries fast and crystal clear, and actually has a bit of dimension to it.

I am going to show you one example of an easy resist technique. You are welcome to create your ATC however you wish -- as long as you use a glossy accent resist somewhere on the card. The theme is sender's choice.

Step 1: I used a dot-pattern acrylic stamp image and bright yellow ink to form a "sun" on my ATC. I then carefully dotted glossy accents on the yellow and let it dry thoroughly. I made a quick mask out of a circle of paper and laid it over the sun. I then stamped the background texture pattern in a dark orange ink (archival).

Step 2: I wanted to give the background more depth so I now added some colors of distress inks (several shades of blue and some purple). The yellow sun stays bright because the glossy accents resists the blue inks. I spritzed the ATC with a fine mist of water to get the mottled effect.

Step 3: More resist is done on the crab. I stamped the crab in jet black archival ink. I colored the centers of the flowers, the edge of the shell (blue), and the top of the shell (yellow) using distress markers. These areas, plus a few random dots on the side of the shell, plus the white of the eyes I covered with glossy accents. Now these colors will stay true when the background is inked -- they will resist all other colors. I finished the crab by adding a top coat of orange distress ink.

Another Example This background was an overall stream of bubbles design. I did resist on the bubbles in several layers -- white, peach, blues and greens -- and just kept applying layers distress inks until I achieved the depth I wanted. Always start with your lightest color and work your way to darker and darker colors!

Requirements for swap

Create one ATC for each of two partners (2 ATCs total)

You must use the glossy accents resist technique somewhere on your ATC.

Theme is sender's choice. Please spend some time and thought on your ATC and create something wonderful!

Minimum ratings of 4.9 to join swap. No unexplained 1 or 3s and none allowed in the last six months.

PLEASE email me with an questions, concerns, or suggestions on how to improve my tutorials!