Bokeh Technique

So what is "Bokeh", you ask?  First off, it's pronounced "BOH-kay".  Go figure.  It's also a photography term.  I found this description on a web search:

• Bokeh, also known as “Boke” is one of the most popular subjects in photography. The reason why it is so popular, is because Bokeh makes photographs visually appealing, forcing us to focus our attention on a particular area of the image. The word comes from Japanese language, which literally translates as “blur”.

So what does this have to do with stamping?  You can create this effect on cards - making a gorgeous background!  No need for a camera here!

The first two cards were made with ink, sponges, and sponge daubers.  You start with a plain piece of Whisper White card stock, then sponge color all over the background.  To get the Bokeh effect, you use Craft White ink, sponge daubers, and a template of circles (I made my own by cutting circles out of a window sheet.)  When you sponge the white circles, you want to have different sizes and different intensities of the white.  It's also important to let it dry completely before stamping on it.

Colors used on the card above were Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Soft Sky.  Image is from Balloon Bash stamped with Memento Black Ink.

The colors used on this card were Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, and Coastal Cabana.  Sentiment is from Perfect Pennants.

 

The Bokeh technique used on these next cards is a little more time-consuming.  You use Watercolor Paper and an Aqua Painter.  You start by getting the Watercolor Paper wet all over.  Then using the Aqua Painter, pick up drops of re-inker and randomly apply them to the paper, letting the ink run and mix together.  In this technique the paper needs to be completely dry after you've added the ink before adding the white circles.  Then that also needs to be dry before stamping a sentiment on top.

 Ink colors used on this card were Melon Mambo and Island Indigo.  Sentiment is from Bravo and stamped with Memento Black Ink.

Ink colors for this one were Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo.  (Notice how they mixed together so you can see some green?  Very cool!)  The sentiment is from Another Thank You

If you want more detailed instructions on how to create Bokeh backgrounds, there are lots of videos available on-line.  Just search for Stampin' Up! Bokeh Technique.  Give it a try - I think you'll fall in love with how cool this technique is!

Until next time...

HAPPY STAMPING!

Jayne Stenstrom

jayne@jaynestamps.com

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