Background Techniques:
Heres a list of all the different background techniques featured on Techniques Zone.
Spray Starch & Alcohol Ink Backgrounds – Using Household Spray Starch to create bright background art.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/spray-starch-alcohol-ink-background/
Spray Starch Background Technique – Using Household Spray Starch and Mica Powders to create a sparkle. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/spray-starch-background-technique/
Spray Starch & Dye Ink Resist – Using Spray Starch as a Resist Medium for Brayering over Dye Based Inkpads.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/spray-starch-dye-ink-resist/
Duraglit/Brasso Backgrounds – Distressing glossy magazine papers using Brasso metal cleaning wadding. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/duraglitbrasso-backgrounds/
Noodle Brush Backgrounds – Using Silicone Pastry Brushes to create brightly splattered background art.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/noodle-brush-backgrounds/
Acrylic Splat Backgrounds – Make your own Daubers using bottles of acrylic paints and sponge. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/acrylic-splat-backgrounds/
Fabric Paper Using Tyvek Backgrounds – Using Printed Tissue Papers & Napkins with Tyvek to make fabric like paper backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/fabric-paper-using-tyvek-backgrounds/
Gold Leaf Watercolour Resist Backgrounds – Gold Krylon Pens and Watercolour Wash. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/gold-leaf-watercolour-resist-backgrounds/
Lutradur Background Experiments – Adding colour to this wonderful fabric medium.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/lutradur-background-experiments/
Bright Watercolour Wash Backgrounds – When I say Bright, I mean BRIGHT. Using Watercolour Crayons. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/bright-watercolour-wash-backgrounds/
Watercolour Wash Backgrounds Part 2 – Using Felt Tip Pens and Brush Markers to create a Watercolour Wash.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/watercolour-wash-backgrounds-part-2/
Smooshed Inks Backgrounds – Dye Inks and Brayers – so much fun it should be illegal. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/smooshed-inks-backgrounds/
Masking Tape Backgrounds – Tape – not just for silencing folk with 😉
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/masking-tape-backgrounds/
Worksheet Wonders – Dont throw away your work table protectors – use them as art backgrounds instead! https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/worksheet-wonders/
Faux Leather Tissue Paper Backgrounds – More reasons to buy Tissue Paper.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/faux-leather-tissue-paper-backgrounds/
Black Pearl Paper Backgrounds – Kitchen Paper Towels and Acrylic Paints to create Sparkly Backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/black-pearl-paper-backgrounds/
Brayered Gesso Resist Backgrounds – I love My Gesso 🙂
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/brayered-gesso-resist-backgrounds/
Hair Mousse Backgrounds – If you dont have Hair Mousse you can use Shaving Foam instead. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/hair-mousse-backgrounds/
Textured Gesso Backgrounds – Using Gesso to add a 3d dimension to your backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/textured-gesso-backgrounds/
Distressed Scraps Backgrounds – Cool ways to recycle all those itty bitty paper scraps of paper. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/distressed-scraps-backgrounds/
Paint Scraping Techniques – Credit Cards are not just for buying stuff with 🙂
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/paint-scraping-techniques/
Glue Background Techniques – Using El Cheapo White School Glue. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/glue-background-techniques/
Shining Stones Background Technique – Pearl Ex and Dye Inked Brayered Art.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/shining-stones-background-technique/
Walnut Wax Media Backgrounds – Walnut Inks and Embossing Powder on Tissue Paper to create an unique distress effect. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/walnut-wax-media-backgrounds/
Paper Shredding Backgrounds – Shredding Machine at the ready or steal the hamsters bedding…
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/paper-shredding-backgrounds/
Textured Micro Beads Backgrounds – If it doesnt move, make it into a background… https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/textured-micro-beads-backgrounds/
Faux Grass Paper Backgrounds – Good for recycling your out of date Herbs collection 🙂
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/faux-grass-paper-backgrounds/
Magazine Scrunchie Backgrounds – Gesso and Scrunched Magazine Papers with a splash of Paint to create texured backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/magazine-scrunchie-backgrounds/
Heated Oil Pastel Backgrounds – Use Oil Pastels with a travel iron to make Faux Encaustic Wax art backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/heated-oil-pastel-backgrounds/
Gesso & Colour Mist Resist Backgrounds – Eye popping colourful backgrounds on dark colour card stock. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/gesso-colour-mist-resist-backgrounds/
Alcohol Inks lAnd Floor Wax Backgrounds – Look what happens when I ran out of Blending Solution 🙂
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/alcohol-inks-and-floor-wax-backgrounds/
Walnut Ink Backgrounds – How to use Walnut Ink Crystals to create Distressed backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/walnut-ink-backgrounds/
Stamped Tissue Paper Backgrounds – Using Tissue Paper to stamp and add colour and pizazz to your cards.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/stamped-tissue-paper-backgrounds/
Textured Glue Resist Background Technique – Ordinary PVA Glue heated on card to make a textured raised resist effect. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/textured-glue-resist-background-technique/
Shadow Blocks Backgrounds Using Deluxe Card Templates – How to use the templates to make arty DTP backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/shadow-blocks-backgrounds-using-deluxe-card-templates/
Stippled Pearls Backgrounds – All you need is a stiff brush and Pearl or Metallic paints to make jazzy backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/stippled-pearls-backgrounds/
DIY Powdered Mica Spritzer Backgrounds – How to make your own Spritzer Sprays using Pearl Ex and Water 🙂
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/diy-powdered-mica-spritzer-backgrounds/
Faux Polished Stone Background Technique – In the olden days they didnt have Alcohol Inks so we had to improvise! https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/faux-polished-stone-background-technique/
Metallic Wash Backgrounds – Floor Wax and Metallic Acrylic Paints combined to make lovely washy backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/metallic-wash-backgrounds/
Faux Leather Masking Tape Background – Stamping On Masking Tape to emulate the look of old worn leather. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/faux-leather-masking-tape-background/
Magazine Paper Backgrounds – Recycle magazines with dye inks and inkpads to create interesting looking backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/magazine-paper-backgrounds/
Heated Pearls Backgrounds – Pearl Ex and White Glue melted with your heat gun to create a gorgeous Oooozey background. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/heated-pearls-backgrounds/
Gum Arabic and Floor Wax Resist Backgrounds – Use Gum Arabic and Floor Wax as Resist Mediums with your Inkpads.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/gum-arabic-and-floor-wax-resist-backgrounds/
Distressed Gesso Background Technique – Distress your backgrounds using ordinary Gesso and Inkpads. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/distressed-gesso-background-technique/
Fusible Webbing Backgrounds – Painted Webbing heated to create arty farty backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/fusible-webbing-backgrounds/
Freezer Paper Backgrounds – Using Acrylic paints on freezer paper to make yummy bright backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/freezer-paper-backgrounds/
Faux Washi Backgrounds – Backgrounds with the WOW factor.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/faux-washi-backgrounds/
Faux Leather Backgrounds – Using Tissue Paper, Dye Inks and Glue to make fake leather. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/faux-leather-backgrounds/
Scraped Credit Card Backgrounds – Who woulda thought a Credit Card could double up as a humble Art Tool.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/creditcardbackgrounds/
Artful Brayered Backgrounds – Use your Brayer to make grungey arty backgrounds for stamping on. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/artful-brayered-backgrounds/
Alcohol Inks Backgrounds On Glossy Card – Your basic backgrounds using Alcohol Inks.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/alcoholinksbackgroundsongloss/
Metallic Alcohol Inks Backgrounds – Metallic Acrylic Paints and Alcohol Inky Backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/metallic-alcohol-inks-backgrounds/
Textured Alcohol Inks Backgrounds – Using Tissue Paper, Celophane, Masking Tape & More to create lovely textured surfaces. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/textured-alcohol-inks-backgrounds/
Metallic Textured Alcohol Inks Backgrounds – Gorgeous shimmery textured backgrounds created with various medias. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/metallic-textured-alcohol-inks-backgrounds/
Acrylic Paint Backgrounds – How to use Acrylic Paints to create interesting looking backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/acrylic-paint-backgrounds/
Faux Glassine Paper Backgrounds – Using Tissue Paper and Floor Wax To Create Unique Glassine Paper Backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/faux-glassine-paper-backgrounds/
Water Color Art Backgrounds – Using a Reversing Stamp or large eraser to create stamped watercolour wash backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/water-color-art-backgrounds/
Ink Spots Alcohol Inks Backgrounds – Use alcohol inks to make spotty spattery backgrounds. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/ink-spots-alcohol-inks-backgrounds/
Stamping and Embossing With Baby Wipes – Recycle wipes used for cleaning stamps & make funky backgrounds.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/stamping-and-embossing-with-baby-wipes/
Plastic Transfer Backgrounds Technique – Using Clear sticky back plastic to transfer images with.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/plastic-transfer-backgrounds-technique/
Intuitive Watercolour Technique – Using Watercolour Crayons to create abstract backgrounds for stamping on.
https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/intuitive-watercolour-technique/
Fax Magic Backgrounds – With a heatgun and fax roll paper you can make your background colour pop. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/fax-magic-backgrounds/
Brayered Bands Resist Backgrounds – Using ordinary rubber bands to create unique resist background art. https://techniqueszone.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/brayered-bands-resist-backgrounds/
Brayered Bands Resist Backgrounds
Techniques Zone 
Thank you so, so much for sharing! I was in desperate need of inspiration….and am only a budding artist too, so not much experience at all!
WOW! A friend on the Docrafts website was trying to remember how to use floor polish in her art and I found your site. It’s fantastic!! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful techniques, I’ll be up late for many nights to come 🙂
Kay x
Thankyou so much for all the amazing ideas you’ve shared here. Now its just a matter of deciding which one to try first!
Heather
I’m a newbie at art journaling and am so excited to have found your site!! One question — are these techniques done on plain paper in a journal or on gessoe’d sheets? Thanks!!
Most of the earlier background techniques are done on plain white card or copier paper without gesso, you could if you wanted apply the same techniques to your art journal pages. If a specific background technique requires gesso I usually list it in the instructions. Hope that helps and have fun creating!
Thanks so much for sharing your techniques. I did a post about it on my blog:
http://cinnamonpink.typepad.com/cinnamon_pink/2012/08/sixty-three-different-background-techniques-from-techniques-zone.html
I am so elated to find your website!!! You really have no idea. My creative juices have been stifled by a big move and not having access to my supplies. I couldn’t stand it anymore and dug some stuff out of storage. Finding your sight has rekindled that spark I needed. I read on one of your posts that “YOU DON’T DO CUTSIE!” I love this about you!!!!! I have used this same phrase with my groups so often, that they tease me about it in fun. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I will be here on a daily basis!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. How refreshing and I agree with you about that.
I think your site is great and will be trying some of your brilliant sugestions for backgrounds.
I have longed for a site like yours for ages. I too use almost anything to scrunch up the background and give depth to the finished work. Thank you for all the new ideas