Feathered Edges

I had fun recently experimenting with a feathering technique to add background to embossed line images. This pretty stamp from Penny Black is poinsettia poem embossed in silver powder on Fabriano hot pressed watercolour paper.

Before adding any colour I spritzed the embossed panel with water. I then picked up chipped sapphire distress ink from a mat where I had smooshed the ink pad. Carefully I touched the tip of the inky brush to the area outside the embossing; the ink spread wherever there was water around the image.

I let the whole panel dry before moving on to painting the flowers, berries and leaves using watersoluble brush tip markers.

Above and below is another image that worked well with this technique; it’s holly berry branch from Penny Black. This time I used faded jeans ink for the background which is a lighter, less purply blue resulting in paler blues overall.

This is definitely a technique I will continue to experiment with; the feathery patterns that appear when ink flows across the wet paper are my kind of watercolour!

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2 Comments on “Feathered Edges”

  1. Bonnie's avatar Bonnie says:

    What a great technique for backgrounds, Heather! It adds such a dramatic look to the pretty poinsettias and holly! You may not get your Christmas card until summer, but please know that I’m thinking about you and sending wishes for a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

  2. p's avatar p says:

    The water spritzing allowing the ink to move and give these feathered edges makes a beautiful background to both the poinsettias and the holly and berries stamped and embossed images Heather..gorgeous cards. I have just heard that the Canadian postal strike is finally over but know that seasonal cards are too late now for Christmas, but I am sending you all my best wishes and hope you have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to visiting you to see all your beautiful creations throughout the coming year. x


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