Hi everyone. I have made several Bokeh cards in the past so this is not a new technique for me. But as always, it's a great reminder of a technique that I enjoy that I have not done for a while. Bokeh is easy to do ... basically sponging through a circle stencil over top of a colourful background. You can create unique backgrounds by either sponging more colour through a circle stencil ... or by removing colour through a circle stencil. So many possibilities!!
For the card above I sponged Distress Inks: Salvaged Patina, Mowed Lawn; then used a circle stencil to sponge different sizes of circles in white pigment ink. I cut the panel down and added a silhouette leafy branch (Just Because - Uniko) in black ink. I added a "Hello" sentiment (Everyday Messages - Maker's Movement) in black to finish the panel and then popped it up on foam and attached it to a black card base. Very simple design, but interesting with the bokeh background.
Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...
Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...
- It's important to overlap some of the circles and have them different shades of white ... this gives you the illusion of depth.
- I was unhappy with my first try on the above card. The circle pattern I created was just ok. So I sprayed lots of water and removed most of the coloured ink from my mixed media panel with a paper towel. The white circles were still a bit visible. When it dried, I sponged over top with green and blue inks a second time. The circles from before, picked up the green and blue ink, creating subtle circles in the background. I added my white circles on top and this gave me even more depth. A happy mistake. :)
For this next card, I sponged distress inks (Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo), let dry and then sponged white circles randomly overtop. I placed the panel behind a die-cut (Evergreen Window - retired from Memory Box). To finish I stamped a sentiment (Merry Messages - Lawn Fawn) in Delicata Silver ink.
I'm sending the first card to Stencil Fun May Challenge - Anything Stenciling Goes.
I'm sending the second card to Rudolph Days May Challenge.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamps: Just Because (Uniko); Everyday Messages (Maker's Movement)
Paper: White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)Ink: Distress inks: Salvaged Patina, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); White Unicorn Pigment ink (Hero Arts); Black ink (Memento)
Accessories: Sponges, circle stencil
Stamps: Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)
Paper: White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)Ink: Distress Inks: Picked Raspberry, Kitsch Flamingo (Tim Holtz); White Unicorn Pigment ink (Hero Arts); Delicata Silver Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Sponges, circle stencil, Evergreen Window die (Memory Box)
33 comments:
Beautifully done! Bokeh has such a lovely look.
It's interesting how your first background came about. It's absolutely gorgeous! Yes, that's what I call a happy accident for sure! Your second is such a soft and pretty winter sky for a Christmas card. From black to white, you've shown how lovely a bokeh background can be. It's been ages since I did this technique. In the old days I used circle stamps and pencil erasers. Now I have a stencil set. So much easier!
Beautiful Christmas card - love the colour and the dimension too.
Thanks for joining me at the Rudolph Days Challenge.
Helen x
Loll this is another fun technique that I am excited to do again! Thanks for these beautiful bokeh reminders!
=]
These are both so pretty, Lolly! I actually had more fun this time with this technique than years ago when I would try to do Bokeh. Not sure why, but it was enjoyable. Thanks for explaining the process of your first card. It really looks like the effect in photography because of the depth you achieved! Hugs, Dolly
Love both of these Loll - I especially like the really big Bokeh circles on your first card the green/blue looks wonderful against the black and silhouette stampings! Your popped up framed trees are lovely with the pink bokeh behind them too! Julia xx
The layered bokeh on the first card is AWESOME, Lolly! It certainly was a happy accident! Love the pink bokeh background with the Christmas trees! Such a pretty non-traditional color for a Christmas card!
Both so pretty! Gotta love happy mistakes!
These are both beautiful Loll! I love how dramatic your 1st card is with the black card base and silhouette image against the bokeh background...it really POPS! And your Christmas card with the soft pink bokeh background is SOOOOOO PRETTY...LOVE it!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)
Beautiful cards Loll, the black frame and leaf stem make for a very dramatic card. Love the non traditional pink for the Christmas card.
I had lots for fun with this technique and will be doing more :)
Both versions are beautiful but the first card has a dramatic look with the black border! Great job on this technique, Loll!
The first card has fabulous bokeh on it - your struggle with the first attempt resulted in your getting a great effect! Love the blue and green together. Looking at your card, I realize that I should have had more variation in the intensity of the white circles. The pink background makes a fabulous non-traditional Christmas card.
Fabius cards Loll, I especially love the first one. I haven’t used the Bokeh technique for a long time, thanks for the inspiration to use it again.
Liz xx
Two fab cards Loll. This is a technique that I need to revisit! :)
Beautiful effects and cards. x
Love them mf.
xx Karen
The secondary colored circles do add a lot of depth to your card, Loll. So pretty in blues and greens. The bokeh is more subtle on the pink which is perfect for the Christmas scene.
Happy mistake indeed! It's gorgeous, Loll, and my fave! Both are pretty, and the technique is just a great one to remember
Fabulous contrast with the two different backgrounds Loll, and the green/blue with the black silhouette leaves over that beautiful bokeh background is so dramatic and there is so much added depth, and removing the ink and reapplying did give you a great result, and then the pretty pink bokeh sky behind the white tree filled panel makes a beautiful Christmas card and the silver inked sentiment goes perfectly. x
Love Bokeh Lolly and these are two stunners!
The pink behind the Xmas trees has been noted for future reference! x
Two fabulous bokeh examples, Loll - just love how you combined sizes of dots for loads of dimension!! Perfect for a silhouette on card one and I love the pink behind your row of pines!!
Two GORGEOUS cards! I particularly love the blue and green one on black, something I never think to do. These are beautiful Loll and thanks for the inspiration!
That black and blue Bokeh is gorgeous! Both cards are very nice.
Beautiful cards, love the colors and die cuts.
What a 'different' Christmas card with the pink - but lovely all the same - you first card is fabulous - glad you kept persevering to end up with that wonderful result.
Blessings
Maxine
These are both lovely cards. I think I'm starting to like the look of the soft, barely seen circles in the background. Next time I do this technique, I will try that.
Simply stunning! Gorgeous colour combo, and the black stamped image looks so striking. Love the effect from your 'happy accident' too xx
Two beautiful cards with this fun technique. It has been quite a while since I tried this technique but am anxious to do it again. Thanks for the inspiration.
I don't know what the first card looked like before, but it looks amazing now. I love it. I have that Uniko stamp set too. it is always nice to get some inspiration for stamps already owned. Love it on the black card base too. The pink and white is nice too, but the green and black is definitely my fave (no surprise there!) xx
Your Bokeh cards are both beautiful, Loll! I love the way you've used the technique to create such different effects.
The first card with the leafy branch silhouette is stunning! The soft circle pattern in the background adds a lovely touch of depth, and I love that you sponged circles over the black silhouette (instead of under the silhouette).
The second card is so lovely too! The white die-cut trees stand out beautifully against the dreamy pink sky.
Thanks for sharing your useful tips!
Hideko xx
OMG...Two very beautiful and very different Bokeh cards, my friend. You have me so inspired to try the wonderfully creative Bokeh technique. My Spring gardening has taken over all my card playing time, but you have me so inspired:-) Love and Big Hugs...Nancy
Finally pulled myself away from my crochet and finished some cards and now to leave some blog friends some comments... Thank you Loll for your monthly inspiration that has encouraged me to enjoy time to make some cards. Your style of cards has always inspired me and again your lovely cards glow with the fab bokeh backgrounds that are perfect for the silhouette leaves and simple die cut Christmas trees.. wonderful.. have a super day looking forward to the next technique, hugs Robyn
When I looked at this card, I thought that you had recorded on the card a vision of UFO ships landing on Earth. Fantastic bokeh effect, and by applying white ink to the black silhouette of the plants you managed to create this vision of an alien invasion. I really like this card!
The second card looks great with a pink bokeh background. It was as if the aurora borealis appeared in the background.
xx
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