Creating Metallic Marbled Backgrounds by Laura Fulcher

Greetings friends.  I don't usually start with the close up shot of my card, but trying to get metallic paint to show up in a picture is really hard, and this picture showed the technique I want to discuss today the best.

Here is what the full card looks like.  You can't really see the metallic colors in the front shot:

I find making watercolor backgrounds to be very relaxing and a great way to show off my die cut images.  In particular, I like to pair them with solid dies so that the pattern of the die and the pattern of the paper don't interfere with each other.  Adding some metallic watercolor paint to the mix adds a bit of glitz and glamor to the finished project.

To make my background, I started with heavy 140lb watercolor paper and taped it to a heavy piece of cardboard using painter's tape:

Taping the paper down is a good idea because it won't curl as you add more and more paint to it.  I let the paper dry completely before removing the tape.

I used two kinds of paint to make my background:

The paint on the left is a 12 pack of Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor paint.  You can absolutely use any watercolor you like.  I particularly like this paint for this project because it is a thicker, more opaque watercolor that reminds me a bit of acrylic paint.  I used this paint set for the base of color.

I started by scribbling blue and black paints.  The first layer was quite unimpressive.  Don't worry, just keep adding goopy, wet paint on top:

Notice how it keeps getting darker and darker and darker and more blended.  I forgot to take a picture of this step, but I also added a few splotches of white watercolor paint that softened some of the black areas into lighter grey areas.  When you get the color that you want, and while the paint is still wet, switch to the other palette of watercolor paint.

I used the Fine Tec Metallic paints for the second part of the project. I absolutely love how shiny these paints are.  I bought them from Birch Press design, and you can find them here.  Birch Pres is having a weekend sale and if you use the code "CRAFT20 " by the end of Sunday, May 12th, you get 20% off your entire order.

Make the paint really wet and add splotches of color to your first layer of paint.  Also, drag the brush through the various colors so that it adds some metallic veining to your paper.  It is hard to see the metallic colors when the paper is when, but as it dries, you will see the metallic paint pop.  I used two different golds and some of the silver so that I had a variety of shimmery colors.  Here is a close up once again:

And when you add the white flowers:

Notice I added a layer of gold paper behind my watercolor paper to really make the metallic colors pop. 

My last piece of advice is to make a lot of backgrounds at once. I probably made about 15 backgrounds during my painting session.  If you take the time to get out water, brushes, and paint, you might as well make extras to have on hand.  Also, remember that if you have a background that you don't like, save it for diecutting later.  I promise that using pieces of your painted backgrounds will look incredible.

Would you like a chance to win the Daisy Silhouette dies? Just add a comment to this post by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 12th. One winner will be selected at random to win the new pair of floral dies. All winners will be posted on the Outside the Box blog on Monday, May 13th at 6pm EST. Good luck.  Don't forget today is the last day to enter all of the other contests as well.

 

 

Supplies

 

94249 Daisy Silhouette craft die

CL5242 Big and Little Words lear stamp set

Comments

[JennyH]

Ooh I love that marbled metallic background Laura, great for this lovely CAS card. Thanks for the chance to win the daisy die : )

[Kathleen]

Thank you for explaining how you made the background. The die really looks great against it.

[Deb Heinritz]

Love your marbled background, the die really pops. I will have to give this a try.

[Andre M]

This is a lovely marbled effect made with these paints that allows the white die cut to take center stage.

[gail]

a gorgeous background! Love it!

[Linda Smith]

I would love to try the metallic background look! Your card is beautiful!

[Cynthia]

The daisy and the background are equally lovely and work well together.

[joy meadows]

Love this beautiful metallic background, Laura! And, thanks for the info re: the sale. I am going to go place an order right now.

[karenajo]

Amazing background - will have to try this! Love the card - really simple and elegant!

[Evita]

Me gusta como quedo el fondo metálico, linda tarjeta!!!

[Melanie Allen]

Laura what a dramatic way to use the daisy dies. Great card. The gold really sets it all off. Thanks for sharing it.

[Ali]

That is an amazing background! Stunning! The die just sings on it. Wonderful. Thank you so much.

[Sharon Brand]

The background is stunning and allows the
pretty die to just be there!

[Laurie Brown]

Beautiful background!! Love the shimmer and the pretty daisy!

[CC]

I love using metallic paints and pastes on my cards!!!! So much fun!!! This is a lovely die!!!

[Greta H]

Beautifully striking card! I need to get out my metallic wc & make some backgrounds--thanks for the tips!

[Darcy Pollock]

Gorgeous background and the perfect dies for it too. Thanks for shring how to make it.

[Nancy yoder]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you for the detailed ‘how to do’! The finished bkgd is gorgeous! Then u pop the bkgd by putting the daisies in the Illuminated light! Ah to have a night like that with the moon light lighting the way! Thank u!

[Vinita Jain]

Gorgeous BG with metallic shine, so pretty!

[Sandra W.]

Lovely background and die!

[Kristen]

Your background is stunning!

[Heather]

Thank you for sharing your process, that card is beautiful!

[stampinggrandma]

So pretty! Love the background!

[Denise Bryant]

Beautiful silhouette die! Love that pretty background too!

[Chrissie]

Awesome! A great background and a single die-cut, beautiful without the fuss!