Stipple Basics

Create soft backgrounds with stipple brushes.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Stamp your image on cardstock.

   

2. Optional:
   Add depth/shading with markers.

   

3. Step 2

   Hold the brush vertically, then tap stipple brush in the lightest colored ink several times.

   

4. Step 3

   Now tap your stipple brush softly on cardstock. Tap several times.
   
   Repeat step 2 to load up more color.

   

5. Step 4

   Continue to add color to your cardstock.

   

6. Keep adding color until your entire piece of cardstock is covered.

   

7. Step 5

   Take a slightly darker ink, load your stipple brush up again and start adding this color to the cardstock.
   

   

8. Continue to add color until you like the way it looks.
   
   Hint:
   I use a different brush for every color hue (I have one for browns, greens, blues, yellows, reds and oranges).

   

9. Step 6

   Stipple a third color ink to add more depth. With each of the darker colors, I leave a little area around the stamped images that I don't stipple. It will give your images a glowing look.
   
   Hints:
   -When using the darkest color, I tap the inked up brush once on scrap paper.
   -To blend the colors better, you can always go back over the image with one of the lighter colors.
   

   

10. Step 7

    Finish your card.

    

Video!

Variations

1. Resist it
   Try stipple resist over an clear embossed image.

   

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Stipple Basics. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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