Playing with Distress Oxides - Masculine Color Blends

Ink blending has to be one of my favorite techniques, but I don't want to blend just any ink.  I'm a Distress Ink & Oxide addict.  I have ALL the colors in both and they are by far my favorite inks.  Today I thought I’d share some ideas for masculine blends.  Don't fear the dark moody colors, they often make magic.

Chipped Saphire, Forest Moss, and Crushed Olive make for a moody blend.  Great for a night forest scene.  The above panel was blended, splattered with water, and then splattered with Chipped Saphire and Crushed Olive.

Aged Mahogany, Ground Espresso, and Forest Moss create a beautifully rich blend.  This panel was splattered with water and then gold Perfect Pearls. 

Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge, and Mustard Seed build a bled with a more fall or western vibe.  This panel was splattered with water and some copper Perfect Pearls.

If you find yourself in a bit of a creative dry spell, I would encourage you to get out your inks and play.  Tim Holtz often talks about making parts of things to build on later.  Take the pressure off yourself and let your inner child play.  I very often make backgrounds to get my creative juices flowing.  These backgrounds never go to waste, they go into a basket for later use.  I may use them as a full background or I may die-cut them into elements for future cards.

Shop the Supplies Used:

Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Aged Mahogany Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Crushed Olive Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Ground Espresso Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Mustard Seed Shop at: SSS | SBC
Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Rusty Hinge Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz - Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Walnut Stain Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad CHIPPED SAPPHIRE Shop at: SSS | SBC	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad FOREST MOSS Shop at: SSS | SBC
Ranger Perfect Pearls COPPER Powder Shop at: SSS	Ranger Perfect Pearls METALLICS Kit Shop at: SSS	Ranger Perfect Pearls PERFECT GOLD Powder Shop at: SSS	Ink Blending Tool with Domed Foam Applicators Shop at: SBC
Ranger MINI DOMED INK BLENDING FOAM Shop at: SSS | SBC	Ranger MINI ROUND FOAM REFILLS Shop at: SSS | SBC	Ranger MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ	Scrapbook.com - Replacement Domed Foam Applicators Shop at: SBC
Tim Holtz DISTRESS SPRAYER Ranger 4 Ounces Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ | MFT	Tim Holtz Tonic GLASS MEDIA MAT Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ	Tim Holtz Tonic TRAVEL GLASS MEDIA MAT Shop at: SSS | SBC | AZ	Neenah Bright White Paper 65lb. Cover Stock Shop at: AZ