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softening paper colors

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Sep '14 Ddcmsmom

A few months back, I saw a tip for softening bright colors in papers. I just pulled out a brightly colored paper I want to use, and of course, I can't find that tip anywhere. Do any of you have ideas for toning down those too bright colors?
Sep '14 Ddcmsmom

RE: Ddcmsmom: A few months back, I saw a tip for softening bright colors in papers. I just pulled out a brightly colored paper I want to use, and of course, I can't find that tip anywhere. Do any of you have ideas for toning down those too bright colors?

I should clarify - the technique involved using either paint or ink, but I'm not sure what kind was used. If you've got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
Sep '14 Corrie Fan

RE: Ddcmsmom: I should clarify - the technique involved using either paint or ink, but I'm not sure what kind was used. If you've got any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

I have tried whitewashing over patterned paper and it toned it down. Never tried anything real. It was a technique class and only on a small area ( we were working on 5x7).
Sep '14 Tiffany428

RE: Corrie Fan: I have tried whitewashing over patterned paper and it toned it down. Never tried anything real. It was a technique class and only on a small area ( we were working on 5x7).

I recently saw a Youtube video by Nicolejones911 in which she used a gesso to white wash her paper to tone it down. I'll see if I can find it....

Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oV5gLNo5jU&a mp;list=UU...

She covered the whole entire page. And I guess you can go lighter or heavier with the gesso to your liking.
Sep '14 SherylEb

RE: Tiffany428: I recently saw a Youtube video by Nicolejones911 in which she used a gesso to white wash her paper to tone it down. I'll see if I can find it.... Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oV5gLNo5jU&a mp;list=UU... She covered the whole entire page. And I guess you can go lighter or heavier with the gesso to your liking.

I've seen gesso, then wipe, spread it around with a wet baby wipe. Vickypgr has some great videos and she uses this.
Sep '14 BonjourScrap

RE: SherylEb: I've seen gesso, then wipe, spread it around with a wet baby wipe. Vickypgr has some great videos and she uses this.

What about lightly distressing it with sandpaper ?
Sep '14 Ashley.calder

RE: BonjourScrap: What about lightly distressing it with sandpaper ?

I've toned down paper using a mix of gesso or white acrylic paint, plus matte gel. The combination makes a sort of white glaze.
I've also used watered-down gesso, but it tends to be a bit messier and warp the paper a bit more (which doesn't really bother me, but I know some people don't like that side effect!).
Sep '14 Anda11

RE: Ashley.calder: I've toned down paper using a mix of gesso or white acrylic paint, plus matte gel. The combination makes a sort of white glaze. I've also used watered-down gesso, but it tends to be a bit messier and warp the paper a bit more (which doesn't really bother me, but I know some people don't like that side effect!).

this is a great idea
Sep '14 RedSquirrel UK

RE: Anda11: this is a great idea

I've dry-brushed white acrylic paint onto busy patterned paper to make a frame for the photos. If you just put a little paint on a dry brush and brush it on lightly, you can still see the pattern through it,
Sep '14 Bxr-Linda

RE: RedSquirrel UK: I've dry-brushed white acrylic paint onto busy patterned paper to make a frame for the photos. If you just put a little paint on a dry brush and brush it on lightly, you can still see the pattern through it,

Layer a sheet of vellum over it.
Sep '14 Rebeccakeppel

RE: Ddcmsmom: A few months back, I saw a tip for softening bright colors in papers. I just pulled out a brightly colored paper I want to use, and of course, I can't find that tip anywhere. Do any of you have ideas for toning down those too bright colors?

I usually use a coat of gesso for those too bright colors.
Sep '14 Solitaire

RE: Rebeccakeppel: I usually use a coat of gesso for those too bright colors.

What would happen if you brush on some bleach (but not enough to warp the paper) and use a hair dryer to dry it?
Sep '14 RedSquirrel UK

RE: Solitaire: What would happen if you brush on some bleach (but not enough to warp the paper) and use a hair dryer to dry it?

Bleach? Well your paper wouldn't be neutral pH any more if you did that! It would be pretty though. You can get some lovely effects with bleach.
Sep '14 OlesyaK.

RE: RedSquirrel UK: Bleach? Well your paper wouldn't be neutral pH any more if you did that! It would be pretty though. You can get some lovely effects with bleach.

I think I used tim holts white picket fence dabbers a time or two to tone down the paper. it's paint but it's thinnish and transparent, if the paper is cardstock quality, it'll be okay.
Sep '14 *angela

RE: Ddcmsmom: A few months back, I saw a tip for softening bright colors in papers. I just pulled out a brightly colored paper I want to use, and of course, I can't find that tip anywhere. Do any of you have ideas for toning down those too bright colors?

Since paper is my favorite & most abundant supply, I can usually avoid the dilemma by selecting a different color of cardstock or patterned paper. Otherwise, some techniques:

- Vellum - covering the entire background or added as strips for texture

- Strips - paper, washi, or ribbon break up the brightness & add dimension

- Mist - a light color sprayed over the entire sheet softens the bold color/pattern & adds interest

- Acrylic paint - usually white, dry brushed over the entire sheet adds movement

HTH
Sep '14 Gelidy Gelato

RE: *angela: Since paper is my favorite & most abundant supply, I can usually avoid the dilemma by selecting a different color of cardstock or patterned paper. Otherwise, some techniques: - Vellum - covering the entire background or added as strips for texture - Strips - paper, washi, or ribbon break up the brightness & add dimension - Mist - a light color sprayed over the entire sheet soften...

I have used chalk. great thing about chalk is you can erase it if you don't like the result.