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Writer's pictureAmy Rich

Technique Spotlight: Ink Blowing

Updated: May 18, 2022

Techniques truly do make a project what it is. Some techniques - like masking - are super simple. Others take a little more planning and effort. Maybe you like to try all kinds of techniques. I'm guessing you're like some of my class attendees and find that you like to try anything once, but some techniques you probably won't try again. Others you like so much you'll use it over and over. Does how difficult a technique is make a difference to you? What about the mess it makes? Ink blowing is one of those techniques I've done exactly twice in my life: once for techniques class where we made this card:



And once for my demonstration on What's Up? Stampers! on Wednesday, September 16th, where I made this one:


What I have discovered in my two times making a card using this technique is that you can't just use this technique on any card. It's got to be the right card with the right theme, and I think a birthday card is just right. It's a festive and fun technique that works great for birthday. I happen to love how my card on Wednesday turned out, and I think I'll be more inclined to use this technique sooner rather than later because of the color ideas floating around in my head. What colors would look good using this technique? The original, which was first designed by demonstrator Kelly Acheson, used Fresh Fig (retired), Flirty Flamingo, and Bermuda Bay. The one I made on Wednesday uses Granny Apple Green and Gorgeous Grape. They're both perfect for birthday, right? And it's not a difficult technique...it's just a little messy.


So here's how you do the ink blowing technique, as stated on my technique card from class a couple of years ago:

Put a few drops of an ink refill on an acrylic block. Squeeze water into the drops from a Water Painter, and mix the color with the water. Load the Water Painter with the ink mixture and hold it over a piece of Shimmery White card stock. Line up a straw with the Water Painter and blow through the straw so the ink from the Water Painter sprays onto the card stock.


Yep, you need a little hot air, but I know you can do it! ;) One thing I must point out, too, is that Shimmery White card stock will work much better with this technique than Whisper White. The Whisper White is quite porous, and I think the ink would soak into the paper too quickly. On the other hand, the Shimmery White card stock has a coating on it that makes it good for watercoloring of any kind, including ink blowing.


Have fun!






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