Add straight from the bottle each color on your applicator, about ¼ inch section of color side by side but keep them clean. lightly spritz your paper with alcohol and dot randomly with the gold leafing pen. Working quickly with your applicator squiggle and twist your colors on, add more ink if nessessary to your aplicator. Set aside and let dry, the colors should mingle in with the gold leafing pen colors and produce a marbeling effect. After it is completely dry edge your paper with the gold leafing pen.

Betty Goetz haika@HAIKA.com
Tria Backgrounds
I'm just a beginner at this, but was very very happy with the results. I used just 2 colors of Tria reinkers, King James Cast Coat paper (I have 8 pt), a couple cotton balls and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. I simply everted the reinker and swizzled a bit of ink onto the glossy paper and smoothed it into an even layer with the cotton ball. If you put TOO much ink on, you'll have enough ink to cover 3-4 pieces of postcard sized paper....I did the first time. Then I added a few drops of a second color. If you have too much ink, you can get interesting patterns and also start a second piece by doing a monoprint (just evert a second piece of cardstock onto the inked one and smoosh).Then I dipped my fingertips into some alcohol and flicked some droplets over the paper. This looks great even with just one color, since the alcohol moves the ink and gives you subtle color gradations. Too many colors can be too `busy' in my opinion. As the ink dries, the pattern clarifies and becomes more interesting. I doubt if I'll add metallic colors as that's not really of interest to me....but you CAN blitz over the top with some Marvy Metallic marker for interest. I've done it with my silver marker and been happy with the results. A stamping buddy sent me one of the `real' Tria applicators, but I haven't played with it. Many folks told me they didn't see the point of the Tria applicator, and, since I tend to be quite happy with the results I'm getting with a simple cotton ball and since I believe in simplicity where possible, this works for me. I'll probably try the Tria applicator eventually.....and others have suggested simply using white felt bits.

---

For information on related topics see:
Tips & Techniques: Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Pinata Inks, Polished Stone
Tutorials: Domino Key Chains, Dominoe Necklaces