Inevitably, and inadvertently, it’s very easy when using waxed paper to protect other pages in your journal, and heat tools on the page you’re working on, to melt wax onto places you don’t want. Inspired by this faux pas, I have deliberately used wax paper in this month’s art journaling session for a wrinkled resist technique.
What is the wrinkled resist technique?
Wax is hydrophobic. Distress inks are water-based dyes. Paper is absorbent to both. Applying molten wax to paper, letting it set solid, and then rubbing ink over the top allows the ink to be absorbed only by the unwaxed areas of the paper. That’s wax resist. Crumpling the wax paper is how to get the wrinkles.
Step-by-step guide to wrinkled resist technique
Background paper
I chose to use pre-printed scrapbook papers this month for ease. Handily, the Tim Holtz papers have a section at the back where the designs are featured in squares and ATC-sized panels that cut down nicely to fit my journal. You can just as easily start with blank paper, or even colour with ink first, apply the wax and then use a contrasting colour ink to highlight the wrinkles.
Applying the wax
Take a piece of wax paper, scrunch it up a couple of times and lay it between the RIGHT sides of the panels (i.e. those you see on the top are upside down).
Oh, you’ll need to put this on a heat-proof, wax-proof surface (I use a glass mat).
Place a piece of non-stick parchment or baking sheet over the top and press with a hot iron. Pause over each section to ensure the wax melts and transfers to the paper and then move on. Press hard enough to imprint the wax wrinkles, but not so hard you flatten the wax paper completely.
IMPORTANT: Wait!
You need the wax to cool and set, otherwise you’ll find it seems to lift away, and later steps are disappointing.
When setting your pieces aside, make sure you leave them all wax-side up.
Apply the ink to develop the wrinkled reSist pattern
Firmly rub distress ink over the waxed side of the paper with a blending tool. You have to press quite hard and reink a couple of times to build up some contrast.
I used complementary colours contained in the scrapbook paper designs.
Once you have finished applying the ink, swipe over with a damp baby wipe to remove any excess still clinging to the wax.
You should end up with a result like this.
If you don’t, have a quick check: have you got any wrinkles at all? If yes, add more ink. If not, before you add ink to any other peices, repeat the wax application and give the ironing a little more time.
Stick ’em down
Once you have inked all your pieces, audition their layout and then glue/stick them into your journal.
Cut off the excess from behind using a knife/rotary tool or scissors, using the page edge as your guide.
Add a sentiment or focal point
For a subtle way of adding a sentiment, I stuck down some collage tissue to a sheet of double-sided adhesive. This way, the glue is evenly applied across the translucent tissue, and you won’t see unsightly glue marks in the finished layout.
Stamp on the tissue with archival ink and briefly heat set. Cut to shape, peel off the backing and stick it into your journal.
Final touches
Stamp some further complementing elements in archival ink and briefly heat set.
I added a dark brown blended ink vignette to my page, just to finish everything off and tie the layout together.
Why don’t you join the group?
My art journaling session is held in my studio on the first Monday of the month. It costs just £7.50 to attend, starts at 7:30pm, and you’re welcome whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist. Each month has a different theme or technique, and I will guide you throughout the session. If you don’t have a journal, you may buy one on the night for £2. Booking is essential to make sure there’s a space for you.
Next month’s theme is ‘colour core card’. I’m not entirely sure what we’re doing just yet, but I do know it will include dry embossing, sanding and a fair bit of experimentation!
If you’d like to check out previous sessions’ work, click here.