Playing Around with Gesso

I was experimenting today to find out how our inks react with gesso and I love how well they behave!

My card is a little bit messy as it was just an experiment but I think you will get the idea.

I have used Bermuda Bay and Pacific Point Ink Refills directly from the bottle.

The flower is from the Touches of Texture stamp set. The sentiment is from the Awesomely Artistic stamp set.

I collaged the background first with inked background papers and Gesso and then added some Embossing Paste through a mask. I wanted a way to colour the Embossing Paste without having to first mix it in. Applying a coat of Gesso to the dry Paste provided "tooth" for the inks to stick. The Gesso also gave the inks the ability to flow across the surface.

I added some Smoky Slate ink with a sponge dauber to the tops of the bricks.

The sentiment frame was silver embossed and then squished into some Gesso. I applied my heat tool to the Gesso to make it bubble up to create further texture.

Here is another example of my playing around. I haven't applied this one to a card as it was my first attempt and a bit messy but it shows you how colour can completely change the look of a card.

I have used Powder Pink and Crumb Cake ink in this example.

I do have another experiment in mind for Gesso and ink but that will be for another day.