![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-UEb7Ir21JRhiJx_PwER_upov4f4C78Iaa_jqZBUXB8FedERt7u8S2UuWHWCBOcPV8Ca08mUMrjYwaoHCWk8ZQyhXNgK6UiB1_nDcYbCaYDT5jjzDFdJmsn44w0vUHMDvd4g6fj4rUI/s320/bkgatc.jpg)
This is my favourite background technique ever! I use it for almost everything, these days. (Almost. It doesn't work very well on canvas...)
Materials needed:
hot press watercolour paper (I use Fabriano Artistico 200lb)
gesso
newspaper
fluid acrylics in a variety of colours
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDCAx2dXnv3HY0qsw8kf9uOfJ4VduXRUFrLHHdem9fnGvq3OrnviiZFplm0sS3BTt1I6IA6gKPhtrfX5bq5RAei-F8jKAKfVoXwoRwfyxJxU_UrZkdL1i08wMY7upNGx_ae8T0qNS7-s/s320/tut1.jpg)
1. Paint a small patch of gesso onto the watercolour paper. I usually do a 2"x2"square or triangle. Use enough gesso that it won't dry immediately, but don't put it on too thick, either. The good old trial-and-error method will show you how much is too much.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlKqBhrHPqOWRZsrUDsmV3l8T66v049VRC4uqoUTsnxJGJX-SlVRoYgPmYGeTd5LUlnQAR2SuZsBBGCJgBiqhywZTnz9h_j03YKZqpozOrsivpauKo2554iGnXFGIrcE076kXeATUuNU/s320/tut2.jpg)
2. Lay the newspaper over the painted patch, and rub gently to ensure full contact with the gesso. Leave in place for a slow count of 10-15. Again, trial and error will show you how much time you need.
3.Slowly peel back the newspaper. If you've done it right, you will see a mirror-image of the text left behind on the gesso.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbwahs84g9SJz3yaVMPHGSpWduJr3yrjpILvUhHgz-onWBKDtR9RSPTExxHvluTUwX9AnieOdA3AyGYW2DAk8mT6PNJkKCx6AO5iu3WdiqnQdDsbc2GW2_HdKpnx7090-N2hK2aia8V4/s320/tut1pt5.jpg)
If you've inadvertently left the newspaper on too long, some of the paper may be left adhering to the gesso when you pull the newspaper back. This is not a problem. It absorbs the paint differently than the rest of it, and looks interesting. Remember, there are no mistakes here, only opportunities :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXns9RcwaA8oQ7ZkpLC1TSzbULm69jr-snTG4ll2bsTkjR1JiriD5zCdnedRagzkzD880CB1wM4wfaLxzsapMO7RBBUFE7PFPVglOpJEe-N0YdbI72Zt0cn2tmTHOFJQxOV6rTDqFxVc/s320/tut3.jpg)
4. Repeat the above steps til the entire surface is covered with print/gesso. Remember to rotate the newspaper each time for visual interest. Also, try to use various sizes of fonts (headlines or ads, for example). Pictures usually look interesting too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0dabiN2s3_tbFBsiNAGW_r1GfeNHEtEeSVJQKwRhoTOhFFNmX5TP9yoCq4L_ReD2RhZHVg8cSoNi0tlVL4O7dF6iMNKB4UFY0swC9D26a830Lza8Mxt1cVaurQVG6kh7bAfFNoXhxnw/s320/tut4.jpg)
Let it dry for a while (although, if it's still damp in spots when you start painting, that gives an interesting effect too...)
5. Time to get out the paints. For this one, I used pthalo blue (red hue), quinacridone crimson, transparent yellow oxide, burnt umber (light) and iridescent copper light (fine). Also a nice big paint brush.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M4E1esXAA5JSzn2FreXsJfnw-8fUWZ1_2TQ2wbm3wjn9uHJaJR3d4AIfT63ZJfUl5S-9dz9-xkPcXdpq59xJ4mbWar190He8-kRi93g7IssA46ZKwDEVk9Q1tESD6_YB-cUU8E1i1FQ/s320/tut5.jpg)
Dilute a blob of paint with a lot of water. You want a very translucent coat of paint, so you can still see the newsprinting through it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMXoXyNEBXZKTg7iV91edJ6-xy8Sx2TgXiwQ2SmO1Q7vLgMi_7rCd2HCCIBvjU8Zgjt10NQxURc86hnz6jnkA2S7GcTHjF6CZinUfQUZ19LZZE_5-_1RqYjgm7R5xf0q18-lJ4TVKeSM/s320/tut6.jpg)
Start painting! Leave plenty of white space on your first coat, so the other colours can glow through.
Blue:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlZdyp_DI5-yKrzzFGKb53Dwg07w5_GbrvmcKUN-nYgQW9pA2vq35DEYYT0-s6cESUbMlc4aB4YVLmZLNajVr7Sd9nyKGKBzFF_bGPR-uZrwSRxUhN2w-4IwfSYsQ2cYCLFYXYDt5Xq4/s320/tut7.jpg)
with crimson:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6tEfACtk8QtZR_7EycHenNu2L_gYP8HyQfy39cqdSj8ir_v5y-HnJqsvh1bMG9PSQ__vUFIpVtFuK92e4XderiUYW6y-NdDpnH8T28vjOENcZJzgmLO9eQWzrrFn-WpThSPP4hGZFs4/s320/tut8.jpg)
and yellow:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_MgJzyBlWaw_Za3P0nZgJFlCMgYZSfEMQKktJ-CyiYV8c6Kok-PJAVdQt-9aTl42imAl8JdvJ4OTUVQW4Ba0W7FrzjteRSt04Hw-GiptkrWyTnLAM8vFMcQR-tTfzhVa82rfvOJhHfw/s320/tut9.jpg)
and burnt umber + a light brushing of copper to make it shine:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrutVtBL8yd_znEWTEgwLq-8hNQHfySwHt4FF8xNjHs4yaUcr17rnQYOoqu1_XzH2vwq0Z-5KnrdmeOFqUW_oFLjmJHez4gHT4KM5-RT-OvmBZ5Bo2iTAFu7tKf54VVKPcYEXtsQdY2sA/s320/tut10.jpg)
and you're done!
If you'd like the ATC at the top of the post, that was created using this background, leave a comment. I'll draw a name in a few days.
Love to have it. It's beautiful. And thanks for the detailed instructions and pics. Sounds like an interesting background. One day...
ReplyDeletethe atc is beautifull and i love the background. i can't wait to see it for real
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Wendy! Beautiful tutorial!
ReplyDeleteWendy, the tutorial was so clear even I could follow it! Thank you. Love the atc and thanks for the chance to have it.
ReplyDeleteI love the background technique! I can't wait to see it up close and personal- hope the atc comes my way, too.
ReplyDeletebeth
bethakins@insightbb.com
Wendy, this is super! I definitely want to try it -- your explanation is very clear. Now I can't wait to see it in person when the swap envelope arrives!
ReplyDeleteDonna
This is a wonderful ATC Wendy and I would love it. The technique sounds really interesting but are there other things that can be substituted for yours. I can't get those here (paper or the Golden Products.)
ReplyDeleteA fantastic background!!! Can't wait to get one :-)) The step-outs are great!!! And your atc is gorgeous... hope I win, hope I win, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful tutorial, Wendy! I'm very happy to have found your blog. Love your atc too!
ReplyDeletegreetings from holland