Subtractive Masking Technique

Here's a fun tutorial I had in the March issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Grab your alcohol inks and clear acrylic and get ready to play!


Apply 2-3 different colors of alcohol ink to the applicator and apply ink to surface. Tip: Leftover plastic clamshell containers are an economical alternative to store bought acrylic pieces.


Ink stamp well with StazOn and stamp image onto surface.


Tip: This technique offers better results if the ink pad is freshly inked. A wetter ink pad equals more ink on the stamp thus allowing a longer drying time.


Using a damp cloth, quickly wipe away the stamped image. The StazOn will "lift" the alcohol ink from the surface revealing a blank background. Tip: If any alcohol ink remains in the stamped area, re-ink your stamp and carefully re-stamp the image in the same spot and quickly wipe away the image. The larger the stamped area the more difficult it will be to remove the alcohol ink.


Flip piece over so the inked side is now facing the table. Using a gold pen, outline all edges.


Using Stickles, outline the revealed area where the image was stamped and set piece aside to dry.


Take a small amount of Flowersoft and place in a small bowl. Add a few drops of alcohol ink and mix the ink into the Flowersoft. Tip: if you don't have Flowersoft, you can make it yourself. Take a piece of Styrofoam and grate it using a cheese grater. It's super messy to make but gives the same effect.


Once the Stickles has dried, stamp vine image under the bird. Tip: this step is only to help me visualize where to place the glossy accents in the next step. If you are able to visualize the placement, this step can be omitted.
Cover the stamped vine with Glossy Accents.


Cover the Glossy Accents with the colored Flowersoft and set piece aside to dry. Once dry, add sentiment and final embellishments. Tip: Take the leftover Flowersoft and place in a small plastic bag for use on other projects.


Finish the piece by embellishing with the flowers and a butterfly.

I have tried this technique on glass and metal and it produces the same great results as it does on acrylic.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and I'd love to see your creations with this technique!