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Sponging
I need help with learning how to sponge. I have watched the tutorial in the resources but I still don't get it. I used the same sponges as Beate but instead of a nice soft sponge I get weird little harsh dots and not the nice soft look. Any tips on how to make that soft look of sponging?
Location: wishing I was in London but you'll likely find me on my couch
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Thanks! I will try that soon. I wanted to sponge on a sympathy card and it just was too harsh. I'm assuming I need to just practice, practice, practice too to get that nice soft look. I can handle the edge sponging but the other just hasn't worked for me. Also I may not be inking my sponge enough--I haven't made a dedicated sponge for each color either. Guess I need to spend a day just playing with sponging.
Like Janna said, swirl the sponge instead of pouncing and start off the cardstock (this is where a non-stick craft sheet helps). Also--make sure the inkpad you're tapping your sponge on to pick up the ink is pretty juicy, then use a LIGHT hand when swirling your sponge. I find that if my inkpad is too dry, then I have to press harder to get the ink to transfer to the paper and end up with a harsher look.
I like to start with my sponge pretty dry and build up very slowly, working in a circular motion. I usually tap off my sponge on scratch paper, then start sponging, working my way onto the cardstock. That way I get a feel for how intense the color is. As the color builds up, I let more ink stay on the sponge. A good quality cardstock makes a difference, too. SU Whisper White, Pure Luxury White and Neenah all have a very smooth surface that is nice for sponging. Coarser, more porous papers, like Georgia Pacific, really grab the ink and are harder to use for sponging.
Ladies....If you watch the GinaK or Beate videos, they are using dye pads which are different than pigment pads. They are not so wet so you are getting a lighter amount on the sponge which is what you want. If you use a wet ink pad you'll get uneven ink on the pad. You want a very light touch and build up the color on your project in layers till you get the look you want. Swirl/rub rather than pouncing.
Even the Distressed pads that Beate uses are more of a dye pad rather than spongie like a pigment pad. Yes, I know you can also heat emboss with them, they stay wet longer than a true dye ink.
I also agree with the methods that have been stated in previous posts in this thread.
I like to start with my sponge pretty dry and build up very slowly, working in a circular motion. I usually tap off my sponge on scratch paper, then start sponging, working my way onto the cardstock. That way I get a feel for how intense the color is. As the color builds up, I let more ink stay on the sponge. A good quality cardstock makes a difference, too. SU Whisper White, Pure Luxury White and Neenah all have a very smooth surface that is nice for sponging. Coarser, more porous papers, like Georgia Pacific, really grab the ink and are harder to use for sponging.
HiTheresaCC - I've seen your sponging and it is oh so good - I particularly love your out west card - you've given me lots of inspiration. Thanks.
i use the ranger ink blending foam tool and ALWAYS get perfect smooth inking, though as someone mentioned it cna be a bit trickier if you use pigment inks. i have a video HERE
Thanks for the video. That was great.
Do you find that distress inks sponge any better than SU dye inks?
yes there is a difference but it is very very slight. any dye inks work fine. distress inks stay wet slightly longer so you have bit more time to blend - which is especially handy if you are blending two colors into each other.
I wasn't very good at sponging, either, but followed the above advice and I tried swirling the sponge instead of pouncing and I'm doing much better! Thanks for the advice!
Sponging
