Step-by-Step Guide: Vellum and Mica Powder Spray Ink Backgrounds

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through creating amazing mixed-media backgrounds using vellum and spray inks.

This technique adds beautiful texture and shimmer to your art projects, making it perfect for card making, journaling, or any mixed-media art.

We’ll use a simple method involving a page protector and mica-infused spray inks to achieve unique, wrinkle-textured designs on vellum.

Before we begin, I want to clarify what I call spray inks. To me, any colored medium that can be squirted out of a mister or small squirt bottle is spray ink. Therefore, they can consist of many things. Many brand-name versions make theirs with mica powder, which adds a metallic shimmer. But there are many ways to make your own, with or without mica powder.

My recent favorite way to make spray inks is using the colors provided in the popular tie-dye kits. The colors usually come in powder form, which you add water to. I mix the water in the container the tie dye kit comes with and then transfer it to mister bottles. I then usually add mica powder to it. You can buy a set of colored mica powders for pretty cheap. I have a tutorial on painting paper towels with mica powder, which will give you more tips on using the shimmering powder.

• Vellum paper

• Plastic page protector

• Spray inks

• Adhesive spray

• Card stock

• A brayer or rolling pin of some type

Cut a page protector so it opens like a folder.

Spray the inside of the page protector with the spray ink.

Using two or more colors that go well together gives it more variation.

Make sure to spray both sides of the page protector.

Sandwich, a piece of vellum inside the inked plastic.

Press down over the plastic so the whole piece of vellum gets inked.

Take it out and let it dry.

As you can see, the vellum will wrinkle due to getting wet.

Instead of making backgrounds, you can use these as collage elements. The fact that they are transparent creates a neat look for layers.

Or, to make them flat, follow the instructions below:

Cover a piece of card stock with a layer of spray adhesive.

Lay the inked vellum on the card stock and flatten it with a brayer.

Cut the vellum as a background for artist trading cards or other mixed media.

Doesn't it look cool?

That interesting color pattern happens from the ink collecting in different areas due to the wrinkling.

Now, you can use these as layers or backgrounds or any way your creative mind imagines!

I have a ton of mixed-media ink spray tutorials for you to check out here.

How do you use vellum in mixed-media art?

Vellum is a semi-transparent paper that adds a delicate and ethereal quality to mixed-media art projects. Here are some ways to use vellum in your creations:

1. Overlay Effects:

• Use vellum as an overlay on top of painted or printed backgrounds to create a soft, layered look.

1. Embossing:

• Emboss vellum to add raised designs and textures, enhancing the tactile quality of your projects.

1. Die-Cutting:

• Cut shapes or intricate designs from vellum using a die-cutting machine to add delicate elements to your art.

1. Stenciling:

• Apply ink or paint through stencils onto vellum for unique, semi-transparent patterns.

1. Spray Ink Technique:

• Shown in the tutorial above.

By exploring these techniques, you can discover the versatility of vellum and elevate your mixed-media art projects.