Psychedelic Batik Cardstock II

My daughter and I created this batik pattern by applying ink with a brayer to strips of cardstock. Pop over to Psychedelic Batik Cardstock I for a tutorial on creating these patterns.

We took this one step further and added texture to the paper with one simple ingredient...

We rolled the soft brayer in a container of black Speedball block printing ink. Then we shook sea salt onto the brayer and scattered salt on the pile of cardstock strips. We rolled the inked brayer on the paper and the salt created a rustic waathered texture while absorbing on on the color of the ink. We continued by mixing up the cardstock, rolling the brayer in a new color, salting the brayer, and rolling at random until we liked the look of the papers.

What to do with hand-colored cardstock?

• Collage
• Use in art journal backgrounds
• Weave into an ATC
• Make bookmarks
• Make a folded accordian book
• Punch a hole in the top and attach ribbon for gift tags
• Start with strips 1-2" wide, cut into 1"x1" (inchie) or 2"x2" squares, frame & display
• Discover "iris folding" using strips instead of folds, at Origami Resource Center

See Top Picks: Art Materials for Art Journaling, Doodling & Beyond for the art materials I like most.

I love that this project started with simple ingredients and an open workspace. We took the scrap paper left from making New Years cards ~ which could have easily been thrown away ~ and wound up with funky paper that can be used as the base for other projects or as art to enjoy!