DIY Decor Tutorial: Rorschach (Inkblot) Wall Art
Grab your art supplies and clear a spot on the couch: it’s time to play doctor!
Many years ago– before Pinterest, before entering the blogging world, before knowing decor was my passion– I created a few Rorschach “tests.” Rorschach tests were used back in the day by psychologists to help determine an underlying disorder with patients. They’ve always fascinated me because like other forms of art, there’s no wrong perception from the viewer. Each person has a unique response to them.
When I first made these it was just for fun, to see what would appear in the blots. I really liked the results, so I framed them and used them as decor. While pondering what art I could create for my living room, I recalled my previous DIY inkblots and decided to make them again.
Creating inkblots is very easy, but one thing I don’t like is that the fold in the paper is visible. Thus, I created this tutorial to show how it can be done without the fold, leaving you with a crease-free piece of art.
Supplies:
*Wax paper
*Acrylic craft paint in 2 oz. tubes
*Strathmore 300 watercolor paper (90 lbs.): this can be bought by the sheet or as a pad at most craft/art stores. You can use another paper as long as it’s got some heft.
TIP: Watch out for the watermark so it doesn’t become part of your art. The Strathmore series won’t have this, but others do. It’s usually found in the corners.
1. Prepare your workspace. If you’re clumsy like me, you’ll want to cover your surface (and possibly underneath!). I used old painting boards. Cut your watercolor paper to the size desired and create a pile. Tear off sheets of wax paper to your desired width, fold in half, and create another pile.
TIP: when using this style watercolor paper, there’s a rough side and a smooth side. Both sides will work and will give different results. I used the rough side so my inkblots would have more texture.
2. On an unfolded sheet of wax paper, delicately squeeze paint on one half. Be mindful of how large of an area you add paint, as this will spread out when you transfer it to the watercolor paper. Keep the paint random as you don’t want the inkblot to look planned– this is part of its appeal!
3. Fold over the blank side of the wax paper to meet the painted side. Using both hands, smooth the paper. Your paint will spread, so be careful you don’t push it to the edges.
4. Unfold the wax paper and carefully place your watercolor paper on top. Make sure your watercolor paper is centered with the inkblot.
5. Using your Karate Kid wax on/wax off skills, rub the paper with both hands. (Pun totally intended.)
6. Gently flip over your papers, making sure the wax paper remains attached. Then, slowly peel off the wax paper and dispose.
7. Let your inkblot dry before framing or editing further.
8. Invite friends over for some impromptu therapy sessions. If you’re feeling especially ornery, make up a response that has them questioning their sanity.
I re-sized my inkblots by creating a deckle edge and framed them with clip frames. To add more texture and simulate a mat, I placed the blots on top of paintable wallpaper (painted to coordinate with my whitewashed blinds). I also my inkblots with navy blue and royal blue paint to coordinate with my room’s color scheme.
Other ways you can customize your inkblots:
*Create the inkblots onto colored or decorative paper (just make sure it’s thick enough).
*Transfer inkblots on top of a collage.
*Layer several inkblots.
*Make a coffee table book with your inkblots, further adding to your credibility as an amateur psychologist.
Aside from a short list of supplies and these inkblots being so simple to make, I dig their abstract appeal. This art provides contrast and balance to my living room, as the inkblots’ appeal to a modern vibe and help soften all the lines/angles of the furniture.
Thanks for visiting! Let’s stay connected!
Featured on:
Kitchen Table Art: Making Monday
A Bright and Beautiful Life: Making Monday
The Answer is Chocolate: BFF Open House Link Party
Linked to:
VMG206: DIY Sunday Showcase Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sunday
Huckleberry Love: Much Ado About Monday
Sumo’s Sweet Stuff: Block Party
DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier Monday
Carrie This Home: Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop
Mad In Crafts: Mad Skills Party
Maison de Pax: Give Me the Goods Monday
Skip To My Lou: Made By You Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Ladybug Blessings: Handmade Tuesdays
A Stroll Thru Life: Inspire Me Tuesday
Sugar Bee Crafts: Take-A-Look Tuesday
A Bowl Full of Lemons: One Project At A Time
House on the Way: Twirl & Take a Bow
Not Just a Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got
Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday
We Like To Learn As We Go: What I Learned Wednesday
Creations By Kara: Look What I Made Wednesday
Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party
Polkadots On Parade: Wow Me Wednesday
Seven Thirty Three: Sugar & Spice
The Thrifty Home: Penny Pinching Party
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thursdays
The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday
Saving For Six: Think Tank Thursday
The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Craftionary: Friday Link Party
Happy Hour Projects: Happy Hour Friday
A Stylish Interior: Stylish Friday Finds
The Stitchin’ Mommy: Get Crafty Friday
The Answer is Chocolate: BFF Open House Link Party
504 Main by Holly Lefevre: Tickled Pink
The Pin Junkie: Friday Link Party
Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday
Liz Marie Blog: Inspire Me Please Linky Party
Sew-Licious Home Decor: Saturday SHOWlicious Craft Showcase
Funky Junk Interiors: Party Junk
Be Different… Act Normal: Show & Tell Saturday
This is so cool! I never thought of anything like this, but it looks like fab art!
New follower from Sunday showcase blog hop!
My name is Erin Kennedy and I am the owner and editor of three blogs.
http://www.mycookingspot.com
http://www.mycraftyspot.com
Thank you! I appreciate your comment and you stopping by!
I’ve always been fascinated by the Rorschach tests as well. They’ve always reminded me of laying in the grass and creating images from the clouds. I’m pinning this! I found your blog on A Round Tuit.
Great analogy! Thanks for visiting and sharing!
What a cool idea 🙂
Thanks!
Oooo I’m going to try this! Very cool idea. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment & for popping over from IMDB! 🙂
Love this! I just graduated from art school and love ways to make interesting ways to put art work on walls! I would really love it if you could share this over on my weekly link party 🙂 http://gracelangdon.blogspot.com/2013/09/making-monday-7.html
Congrats on graduating from art school! I will pop over to your next party! Thanks for visiting!
awesome!
Thanks!
This is so interesting! I’ve seen it done on fabric but not as wall decor. I really like it!
Thank you! Appreciate the comment!
How fun, these are so creative. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Thanks!
What a creative and inexpensive way to decorate! Thanks so much for linking this up to Frugal Crafty Home!
And very easy too! Thanks for stopping through and for your party!
What a great idea!
Francine
Thank you!
Great job, that is really cool looking!
Thanks!
This is a great tutorial with very clear instructions. I’m fairly positive I saw a article in Country Living Magazine using this method as Halloween decor and it did reflect a dark ominous feel but it also looks quite sophisticated grouped along with your whites and beige.
Thank you for showing your unique DIY.
Why, thank you! This would be very cool as Halloween decor, especially if it was done on a large scale. I appreciate the comment and compliment!
Angela thank you for coming over to the link party this past Monday! I loved this post and am featuring it this week on our party post! The post will go live at 8pm EST and I would love it if you would come visit the blog to grab a feature button and link up any other posts you would want to share! Hope to see you there 🙂 http://gracelangdon.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for featuring me!
I love this idea so much. I’m featuring you when my weekly link party opens up tonight!
Yay! Thanks so much!
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but
I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then
most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!