Stencilled Gradient Background Card with Character

A project from our live show MONDAY MADNESS - Join Simon from AVAGO-INK for his latest products - Broadcast 31st OCT 22 · 31/10/2022 · watch it from 30:00

Make a card with a soft blended background using a retro stencil and two distressed oxide colours, then add small decorative stamps and a large sentiment. Finish with a watercoloured character image to bring the design to life.

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Step by step

1. Pre-cut a piece of card to approximately 5¾ inches square. ▶ watch 30:30
2. Secure the large retro stencil onto your card using masking tape or magnets to keep it in place. ▶ watch 30:45
3. Dab your first distressed oxide colour (salty ocean) onto a glass mat to remove excess, then use circular motions to apply it through the stencil from top downwards. ▶ watch 31:00
4. Apply lighter pressure towards the centre to create a soft blend rather than a harsh edge. ▶ watch 31:45
5. Change your sponge and dab off excess of the second colour (mold lawn), then apply it from the bottom upwards using circular motions. ▶ watch 32:00
6. Concentrate the deeper colour at the base and blend it upwards into the first colour for a smooth transition. ▶ watch 32:30
7. Carefully lift the stencil to reveal the blended background. ▶ watch 33:15
8. Stamp small decorative elements (such as pointer fingers, arrows and tiny hands) in soft grey ink across the background to break it up without overpowering the sentiment area. ▶ watch 33:45
9. Stamp a large sentiment in black versafine ink in the bottom corner, pressing firmly for a crisp image. ▶ watch 35:15
10. Glue the stencilled panel onto a card blank using wet glue. ▶ watch 36:45
11. Stamp a large circular character image with a lab character and sunglasses onto smooth cardstock using black ink. ▶ watch 38:00
12. Colour the character using watercolours: apply blue and green tones around the character, add darker shades for dimension, and use a pale pink for skin tone. ▶ watch 39:15
13. Trim the coloured character into a circle. ▶ watch 43:30
14. Mount the character onto the card using foam pads for height, positioning it in the top corner to tie in the colour scheme. ▶ watch 45:30
15. Add glitter stickers (stickles) to the character's sunglasses and hair to add sparkle and finish the card. ▶ watch 46:15

Tips from the show

• You can pre-make these stencilled backgrounds and add different details as you wish.
• Use a fine-tipped paintbrush (such as size 6) for detailed watercolour work.
• Watercolour will dry lighter than it appears wet, so don't worry if it feels strong at first.

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