Faux Barn Board

Use white glue and a re-inker to create an interesting background.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Put a nickel size drop of white acrylic paint in your paint tray or plastic lid.

   

2. Add 4-5 drops of re-inker, and mix well with a toothpick.

   

3. Step 2

   Use a foam brush to apply the paint and re-inker mixture to the cardstock using a sweeping motion, allowing some of the base cardstock color to show through, and continuing in the same direction. The cardstock will curl because of the moisture in the mixture.

   

4. Step 3

   Gently dry the cardstock using a pre-heated heat tool.
   
   Pre-heating your heat tool helps prevent scorching the paint -you can also allow the cardstock to air dry.

   

5. Step 4

   Add about 1 teaspoon of glue into the paint tray, and working quickly in the same direction as the paint strokes, use a foam brush to apply a thin layer of glue to the painted cardstock.
   
   
   The cardstock will have a somewhat milky appearance.

   

6. Allow the cardstock piece to dry just until it is tacky. You can speed it up with a heat tool if you'd prefer - just don’t let it dry completely.

   

7. Step 5

   Add about a quarter sized drop of white acrylic paint to the paint tray. Working in the same direction as the prior brush strokes, use a foam brush to add white paint to the cardstock.

   

8. Step 6

   Be patient - if you try to apply the paint before the glue is tacky, the piece will look have a mottled look and texture.

   

9. Step 7

   It’s fun to watch the piece as it air-dries - you will see the paint and glue separate right before your eyes, like a mini science experiment.

   

10. Step 8

    As it dries, add additional distressing with the pointed edge of a foam brush by lightly brushing it across the surface.

    

11. To speed up the process, use a preheated heat tool, but be careful, the paint likes to scorch!
    
    As it dries, the cardstock will flatten out.

    

12. Step 9

    The background is finished.

    

13. Step 10

    Use the background on a finished card.

    

Video!

Your Turn

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

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