Today, I am excited to share with you the Bokeh Technique. This technique is easy to do and provides an intriguing background layer to your handmade cards. “Bokeh” is a Japanese word for “out of focus” or a blurred image. The term is, often, used in photography. But today, I am going to show you how to easily create it by sponging on color and masking.
How to do the bokeh technique
First, you need a piece of Basic White card stock cut to the size of your layer. Next, pick three colors of ink pads that you think work well together. You can use more than three, if you like. However, I, typically, stay with three colors. You, then, want to take a scrap piece of card stock and die cut or punch various size circles. This becomes your mask which you will use later on. Now comes the fun! Start blending your colors onto your Basic White layer. To do this, I use blending brushes. Work your way around the layer adding one color at a time. Once the layer is covered and you are satisfied with the color, we are ready to add the Bokeh effect.
Lay the template or mask with the cut out circles on your blended layer. Using a sponge dauber, lightly apply craft white ink. I used Stampin’ Up! Whisper White Craft ink. Vary the placement of the circle sizes, overlap, apply to edge….this is your creation! When done, you should see “bubble-like” images in the background. Remember, craft white ink is thicker than most inks and takes longer to dry. If you want to “speed up” the drying process, you can use your heat tool on the lowest setting to hasten the process. Once dry, you now have your layer to use as is, emboss or whatever else you choose to do!
Images copyright 1990-2023 Stampin’ Up!®
The video below demonstrates how to do the Bokeh Technique step-by-step, as well as, how to make the card above. You will find measurements, supplies, and instructions with a downloadable PDF further down in the post, as well as, several more cards using the Bokeh Technique with different colors. Leave me a comment, I would love to know which one you like best!
Bokeh Autumn Leaves: Measurements
- Crumb Cake
- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ (card base)
- Pumpkin Pie
- 4″ x 5 1/4″ (layer 1)
- Basic White
- 3 3/4″ x 5″ (Bokeh layer)
- 4″ x 5 1/4″ (inside layer)
- 4″ x 5″ (stamping/die cut)
Additional Cards Using The Bokeh Technique
In the card below, I used Soft Seafoam, Fresh Freesia and Pool Party for my colors. Once my Bokeh layer was dry, I heat embossed the floral image from Inked & Tiled with Versamark and white embossing powder by stamping directly on my layer. Next, I re-inked the stamp with Versamark followed by Lost Lagoon and dried the image with my heat gun.
Images copyright 1990-2023 Stampin’ Up!®
For my third card, I used Misty Moonlight, Lost Lagoon, and Boho Blue to create the Bokeh layer. I cut a panel using the Essential Shapes Dies and Boho Blue card stock. Using the snowflake from Season of Chic, I heat embossed using silver embossing powder.
Images copyright 1990-2023 Stampin’ Up!®
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