Aging paper

[ponchopanda]

You guys probably know this but if you're using the coffee method decrease the amount of water for a darker stain. Personally though, I gave up on using regular instant coffee and just buy whatever "espresso" the dollar store happens to have that week.

 

[Jtm2408]

crumple rubber band for a day and microwave on low for 20 seconds or so....makes it stretchy a bit too

 

[rorschach999]

I did this tonight with Coffee, acrylic paint, pastel, and fire on the edges.

The trick was to not try and take your time - Slop it on and let the paint / coffee pool in ares, whip it off - Try to just "let go"

View attachment 295333

Looks good, well done

 

[FeistyDonut]

I use burnt umber, black (acrylics) and water. Use more water if you want it lighter, tea I've found makes the paper weaker. I did an instructable pirate treasure maps on it: A Treasure Map : Paper!.

 

[Pocko]

I tend to use Yellow Ochre watercolour, with small amounts of other browns. It could get pretty costly, so I only use it for one-offs, but it does allow a lot of control over colour.

No matter what you use for the colouring, i've found an interesting effect is to scatter salt (a mix of fine and coarse), over the page when it is still fairly wet. The salt particles draw the liquid to it, leaving a pale patch, with a slightly darker halo around it.

That's just an interesting thing to try, less can be more! But to me it gives the feeling of water stains or slightly mouldy patches.

 

[Fennius]

IIRC steel wool in vinegar is a good method, though I've never used it.