Neon Lights Technique

They say necessity is the mother of invention.

Last week, Jac, Lori and I were in Novi, MI, for the Great Lakes Mega Meet. We had a booth and I taught two classes each day. The booth was stocked with past monthly and special edition kits, as well as our Neon Ink Dabbers, Neon Inkpads, and Neon Doodles unmounted stamps. Jac enthusiastically demonstrated the "Neon" line for passers-by, until doing the same thing over and over got kind of dull. It was time to get creative.

Having the freedom to "play" can lead to discoveries, and that's what happened on Saturday. Jac's "play" time with the Big Deal stencil (from one of my classes) and neon inks led to a fun new technique I couldn't wait to share with you!

Neon Lights Technique
Supplies:
Neon Inkpad(s)
Ink Applicator(s)
White Gel Pen (Graffiti CS Gel Pen or Graffiti Lite 3-D Souffle Pen*)
Black or dark-colored cardstock
CS Stencil (we used Big Deal)

Trace stencil images onto black cardstock with white pen. 

Add scribbles/doodles inside traced area until desired look is achieved.

Re-align stencil; use applicator tool and Neon Ink to color artwork.

Artwork "lights up" with color from the Neon Inks.

Add sentiment stamped with white pigment ink; add matte to create card.

Here are more of Jac's demo samples to inspire you:

Same technique as above on Big Deal Gray Plain.

Try on other colors, too: Big Deal Yellow Plain.

White Plain (from HPOP stash).

Add hand-written greeting to create a quick card.

3D Neon Lights Technique

For a fun twist, add a three dimensional element to your stenciled artwork.

Color stencil with neon inks onto Big Deal Tan Plain. Shift stencil slightly, then trace image with white gel pen.
Resulting "offset image" creates a 3D effect, making the image pop off the page.

I hope you'll try this fun technique with your favorite Club Scrap stencils. We'd love to see what you create!

*The Graffiti Lite 3-D Souffle pen works very well with this technique; however, this ink formula goes on nearly clear and must be allowed to dry completely to a bright white before adding Neon inks.

Creatively yours,

Karen