Background Basics: Medicine Cabinet Mixed Media: Cosmetic Sponge Painting

Last week I started a new series of technique tutorials featuring background techniques using products I found in my medicine cabinet.  Through the series I will share some fun discoveries and a couple of fails too!

Just like the toothbrush I asked “what if”… what if I use one of these foam pads to apply Distress Paint on a tag?  I discovered that these sponges work great for applying a really nice smooth layer of paint.  If you love the nice smooth effect of applying paint with baby wipes, I think you will love this as well.

You could use any color of paint, I started out with Picket Fence.  I sometimes like to start with a white layer on my tags so that the color I apply is more true and brighter.  To apply the paint, I squeezed paint onto my craft sheet, picked the paint up with the sponge and swiped it onto the tag from top to bottom.

I used the sponge dry but you could use it wet to create more of a wash (sheer) look.

After a second coat, the tag is completely white.

Dry the tag with a heat tool.

To add color, I used a damp sponge to pick up the paint (Cracked Pistachio) and swipe it onto the tag.  I applied the paint in thin swipes.

Since the sponge was slightly wet, the paint was thinner and more sheer allowing the bits of white to peek through.

To clean the sponge, simply run under water and wring out. I don’t have a sink in my basement so I simply misted it generously with water and wrung it out in a dry cloth.  You can also add a quick spritz of water and swipe any remaining color on another tag (card front, art journal page, etc).

 

To create a bold inked edge on a painted surface, sand the edges of the surface with a sanding block.  To sand, I hold the tag in my hand and brush the sandpaper on the edges.  (Never sand on your craft sheet, it will damage the surface.)

Apply Distress Ink to the edges of the tag using an ink blending tool.  (color shown- Pumice Stone)

To finish the background, I decided that a stamped background would be a good compliment to the paint.  With large background stamps, I leave them on the plastic backer and lay them design side up on my craft sheet.  Tap the ink onto the stamp.

Place the tag face down onto the inked stamp.  Run your hand over the back of the tag to transfer the design.  If you want it to be random and not complete, rub your hand over random areas of the tag rather than over the whole tag.

Lift the tag off of the stamp.

Dry the ink with a heat tool.

I love the look of the background stamp design being the same color as the inked edge.  It is an interesting background that won’t compete with the embellishments when the tag is finished.  I also really like that the paint is very smooth with no brush or dabber strokes in the paint.

I love this spot where a bit of the white shows through.  You can also see a hint of texture on the edge from the sanding that is accented by the ink.  I love when you get that texture, I think it is a total art bonus!

I will be back on Wednesday with another background using another medicine cabinet find.  I can’t wait to show you!