"Bokeh" (the way a camera lens renders out-of-focus points of light) is one of the hottest visual trends in design right now. I've seen it on TV and in magazine ads. And paper crafters have taken a hold of this and termed the process for creating this illusion with ink and paper the "bokeh technique."
Here is a card I made for my upcoming March Technique & Tea event. (Supplies used to make it are listed below.) Card measurements are:
- Basic Black – 11" x 4-1/4" (fold in half)
- Whisper White – 5-3/8" x 4-1/8"
- Pistachio Pudding – 4-3/4" x 3-1/2"
(Thank you, Lisa Young for inspiring me with your card I found through Pinterest!)
Then during my recent crafting retreat, I got the bright idea to apply this technique to Luke's baseball pages. I love the result!! But I have to warn you…this 12×12 spread took me about 3 hours to complete. Below are the step-by-step photos for how I went from plain Whisper White card stock to this.
1. I planned out where my photos would be placed so I would know where the accent images and title would fit.
2. Then I began by sponging on Hello Honey ink. I had four colors to apply, so I only covered about 1/4 of the area of both sheets with this yellow color.
3. I sponged on Pistachio Pudding ink next. I tried to use a circular pattern when sponging on the color so that the colors didn't look "scratchy."
4. Then I sponged on Wild Wasabi ink next.
5. Finally I filled in the remaining white spaces with Mossy Meadow ink.
6. I laid my photos back on the paper so I could stamp on the Mossy Meadow fern images.
(Some images I stamped without reinking the stamp so I could get a lighter green image. The lighter colored leaves create a 3-D image by appearing further back.)
7. I created a stencil of circles on a sheet of vellum. (Window sheets work better than vellum, but I didn't have any on hand during the retreat.)
8. I sponged on Whisper White Craft ink in a circular motion in the circles of the stencil.
And I did this over and over again eventually even overlapping the circles.
Warning…You'll want to be sure your Whisper White Craft pad is a "used one." It's gonna get dirty from the ink already on the paper and it needs to be a drier ink pad – one that doesn't have too much ink in it.
9. I used a dauber to add more white bokeh dots using a twisting motion as I applied the color.
10. I used the Heat Tool (optional) to dry the white ink. (Another option is to let your ink dry overnight.)
11. I then stamped on more Mossy Meadow fern images. This brings more branches more in the foreground.
12. Finally I matted my photos, added them to my page, stamped the title, and then added Pistachio Pudding sequins with glue dots.
The supplies I used (except the Heat Tool) are listed below and linked to my online store. Notice that there is a LOT of overlap. And again, I'd recommend making your stencil with a window sheet, but the vellum is better than just card stock because you can see through it. Have fun trying this technique out!
Product List for My Pages
Product List for My Card
Amazing!!! love the look and the scrapbook ages look perfect!! Great technique, thaks for showing us how too!
Vicky
1. This is the first card I’ve seen that I I really liked that made me want to try this technique!
2. This is the first explanation/tutorial I’ve seen that I “got” 🙂
Thanks!!
Thank you, Vicky.
Oh, I’m so glad. Sometimes pictures step-by-step can be the most helpful. Glad this helped to you, Heather. *Ăś*
Rachel…..love the card. I have made one but didn’t like how I did it and yours makes more sense. did you sponge on Pistachio Pudding for the front? TFS!
These pages are stunning
Awesome layout!! Didn’t really follow what this technique was all about but you have explained it perfectly, thank you!
Thank you, Johnnie! Yes, I used the same colors for the card…Hello Honey, Pistachio Pudding, Wild Wasabi and Mossy Meadow.
Thank you, Sibylle. *Ăś*
Oh, I’m so glad, Marilyn. And thank you for your kind comment.
Love these. Not a scrapbooker, but your pages are amazing. Beautiful. One way to save your white inkpads- squish it down onto your craft mat and work from that instead of dipping onto the pad itself. Love how you made your own stencil too- I’ll be copying that, lol. xxx
Thank you for that great idea!! Paper crafters are a such good sharers! 🙂
Gorgeous…going to try it now!
Thanks! Have fun!
Absolutely lovely!
Thank you, Linda. 🙂
WOW!!! Rachel, your technics and tutorials (video or still) never cease to amaze me. When I want something spectacular or just unique, you are my go to gal! I know this is an older post but it’s new to me…thanks and keep ’em comin’!
Thanks so much, Gail! You made my day.
Amazing……love the look!!!!! I’m going to give it a try on cards!!!!! thanks for sharing!!!!!
Oh, thanks so much Debbie! 🙂
I LOVE the look of this technique. You make very easy to understand, and I am going to try this. THANK YOU for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed what I shared, Judi. I agree…bokeh is a beautiful look.
As a photographer and hobbyist card maker, I definitely will be trying this technique. Your results are so realistic and beautiful!
Oh yay! So glad you think so! Thank you David.