Techniques on Paper Using Vaseline & Paint

Peeling Paint

The peeling paint effect can be used as a background for scrapbooking or on a card. To achieve the peeling paint look, paint a piece of heavy paper, like card stock, entirely in one color and let it dry. Once dry, apply Vaseline thickly with your fingers to the areas where you would like the first color to show through. Cover with a second or several other colors of paint and allow to dry completely. Once dry, remove the Vaseline with a paper towel. This will also remove patches of the second layer of paint, exposing the first color. Seal with an acrylic paint sealer.

For a gesso resist technique, paint a piece of card stock or use a colored piece of scrapbooking paper. Using a stamp and archival ink, stamp images onto the paper. Rub Vaseline on the stamped images. Spray the paper with a combination of gesso and water and let dry. Once dry, remove the Vaseline with a paper towel to reveal the stamped image. For a faux vellum look, apply Vaseline to both sides of a stamped piece of paper. Wipe off and repeat if necessary to achieve a transparent look to the paper.

Mixing paint and Vaseline also makes for an art project for kids. Mix Vaseline and a small amount of washable paint or food coloring in a small container. Kids can paint on paper with their fingers or Q-Tips. The Vaseline makes the paint extra shiny. The Vaseline thickens the paint and keeps it in the container if it gets knocked over, making cleanup easier. The Vaseline keeps the paint from drying out so it can be used again.

An artist usually signs her name on her work of art but instead of pulling out a sharpie or a charcoal pencil, try Vaseline. Using a thin bristled paint brush, dip it into Vaseline and wipe off the excess. Sign your name with the paintbrush before starting your masterpiece, making sure that their are no bubbles in the Vaseline. Paint over the Vaseline. The paint, especially watercolor paint, won't adhere to the Vaseline, leaving your signature visible in white.