Black Magic Technique Sympathy Card

I think it's safe to say that sympathy cards are the ones most card makers would rather they didn't have to make, for obvious reasons.  This one is for my next door neighbour whose much-loved sister passed away last week.  As I'd just seen a Youtube video of the black magic technique* I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use to try it out.  If you look in my gallery you'll see this is the stamp I use most often for sympathy cards.

To create the effect, first stamp an image in Versamark on black card, then emboss it with black embossing powder.  Next carefully paint inside the embossed lines using bleach until the black is faded - make sure you use a cheap paintbrush as they get ruined by the bleach (I got through 2 of them!)  Depending on the card it may take several coats of bleach but let the card dry between coats, or use a heat gun to speed up the process, so you don't overdo it.  This was Papermania Capsule Collection card, and it took 4 coats.

Once it was fully dry I used watercolour pencils to colour in the image.  Other coloured pencils such as Coloursoft or Polychromos would probably work, too.  My first attempt was done on the textured side of the card but the texture still showed & it didn't look right for this particular image so I tried again on the reverse - smooth - side of the card and it gave a much better finish.

I kept the finished card simple which is how I think it should be for a such an occasion.

Lily stamp - Craft UK, white card blank Craftwork Card basics, black card Papermania Capsule Collection.

* I've since seen the black magic technique described as stamping the image with white ink on black card & colouring over the top with different media (pencils, Copics etc).  I have no idea which is the correct definition of the technique!