I’m soooooo excited … 7 Kids College Fund is now carrying my FAVORITE inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger !!  I LOVE these inks, and use them in so many ways! I’ve put together a step-by-step guide showing the Distress Ink colors I have used to color a Stampabilities House Mouse image, Jelly Bean Heist, also available at 7 Kids College Fund.

In this tutorial, I will be showing you TWO ways that I use Distress Inks: coloring the images and also highlighting around the images. 

1.  Supplies used: Various Distress Ink pads , water brush (small), water color paper, Neenah Solar White card stock, black pigment ink pad, Copic marker for outlining image, sponge for highlighting.

2.  Using the pigment ink, I always stamp at least two images just in case something unexpected happens while I’m coloring so I don’t have to fool around with re-stamping!

I have stamped two images with black pigment ink on each type of paper (watercolor and Neenah card stock) the watercolor paper is for the actual coloring of the image and the smoother card stock is for the highlighting.

3.  The first step in coloring the images on the watercolor paper,  I try to start with the lightest color for my image, in this case the faces, hands, feet and tails. I’ve used Tea Dye Distress Ink.

One thing I do is start out with a very wet brush.  I find it’s easier to start lighter and add more color later.  I put a few drops of water into the cover of my ink pad and try the color on a scratch piece of paper before I color the image … if it’s too dark I feel I have more control to pick up some of the water from the cover.

4.  I can then go back with the same color on my brush, with less water, for more concentrated color to add shading.  I’ve also added some rosy highlights to their cheeks, noses and ears with Tattered Rose Distress Ink. (Please note: Since I plan to cut out the image, to show you the highlighting technique, I am not being too careful to color within the lines. I'm such a rebel!)

5.  I’ve colored each of the three mice in a different shade of brown for some contrast. The first (middle) mouse is colored using Brushed Corderoy, the second mouse (left) is colored with Frayed Burlap and the last (right) is done with Vintage Photo.

brushed corduroy

frayed burlap

vintage photo

6.  The jelly beans are colored with a light color and highlighted in the coordinating darker color. I use the following combinations: Worn Lipstick/Fired Brick, Shabby Shutters/Pine Needles, Mustard Seed/Scattered Straw, Milled Lavender/Dusty Concord and Spiced Marmalade/Dried Marigold.

7.  I also added some light Weathered Wood for shading on the glass jar.

8.   The second technique I would like to show you is to use the Distress Ink to highlight an image. I do this a lot and have received many questions on how it’s done.

First, I cut out the colored watercolor paper image; Then took my Neenah card stock uncolored image and added marker around the entire outer edge. And, using a sponge with (in this case) Broken China Distress Ink in a very light sweeping, circular motion go around the areas you wish to be highlighted. I always start my sponge on the center area of an image, knowing that will be covered when I attach the already colored and cut out image.

broken china

The last and final step is to glue the cut-out image onto the highlighted card stock. That’s it!   Your image is now ready to be made into a card.

Jelly Bean Heist

I hope you will give this a try. The Distress Inks are such amazing versatile inks that can be used in so many ways.  7 Kids College Fund is carrying ALL the Distress Ink colors available at a FANTASTIC price!

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions on any of the above steps. Thanks for stopping by today!

Special thanks to my wonderful photographer -- John Montgomery! He's the best!!