Citra Solv with National Geographic background technique

Last updated : April 10, 2016

I am totally hooked on this “new to me”  technique. I’ve seen it in a magazine, You Tube, blogs etc. Trust me…this technique has been around the block a time or two. Of course, I am super late in actually trying it but I had said I wouldn’t buy any new art supplies. Well…technically I didn’t buy a new art supply, I bought a concentrated cleaner. That counts right!?!?

Anyway…Since not everyone on the planet has read about it I’ll tell you what I did. It is so simple and has such cool results.  A word of caution…this will be messy…protect your surfaces, hands and clothing.

First you take the CitroSolv concentrate full strength and pour a bit into a small container. I used a foam brush to apply it directly to the front and back of the National Geographic pages I wanted to use.  The more ink on the  pages the better. After slathering on the CitroSolv to as many pages as you’d like…close the magazine and walk away for about 20 mins or so. When you come back…put on a glove and start opening the pages…they will likely fall right from the magazine as the CitroSolv seems to un-glue the binding as well.

I hung my pages to dry with clothes pins overnight.

I painted a few pages with CitroSolv before going to bed to see if the effect would be any different. The effect seemed a little more “muddy” to me rather than having the cool bubble effect. Still totally usable papers…just different.

These are some of my favorites but as you can see below…I ended up with a bunch of fun papers to play with.

13 Thoughts on Citra Solv with National Geographic background technique
    ~*~Patty S
    9 Dec 2010
    2:47pm

    ooo better late than never as the saying goes Halle

    what fabulous results you got…making me itch to do it…just came across the bottle of CitraSolve under the kitchen sink…now I must locate my old Nat’l Geo’s

    very inspiring…thanks for sharing!
    oxo

    LuLu
    9 Dec 2010
    3:55pm

    Your papers look wonderful! Thanks for sharing this technique.

    I’d like to try it too – but I heard that CitraSolv has fumes and must be used in a well ventilated area. Is that true? Is there an odor?

    Peace,
    LuLu
    http://www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com

    Robin
    9 Dec 2010
    8:47pm

    I’ve been meaning to give this technique a try too Halle! I was wondering where you purchase the Citrasolv? I have the magazines, just need the concentrated cleaner.

    Hugs,
    Robin

    Marilyn Rock
    10 Dec 2010
    4:51am

    I just got my Citra Solv and am itching to try this. I ordered a bunch of Natl. Geographics from Ebay and can’t wait to get started. Thanks for sharing – love your pages!

    ooglebloops
    10 Dec 2010
    7:32am

    Wow!! Gotta find some CitraSolv!!!! Love your results!

    Ingrid Dijkers
    10 Dec 2010
    10:28am

    I also have heard of this technique, but have never tried it. Your results are wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
    My best to you and yours this Holiday season!
    Ingrid

    Dandelion and Daisy
    10 Dec 2010
    12:49pm

    I’ve wanted to try this technique but haven’t. You can purchase Citra Solv on line at their site. I haven’t looked in local stores for it. I am putting that project on my to do list. Thanks for sharing.

    Bleubeard and Elizabeth
    11 Dec 2010
    3:39am

    I love your results and they are basically the same as using turpentine, but with a LOT LESS smell. At least this is something you can do indoors, where turp has to be used outside. Great pages, Halle, and a nice tutorial.

    Janet
    12 Dec 2010
    3:32pm

    I have been wanting to try this. I think you’ve inspired me to search out some Citra Solv.

    Becca
    14 Dec 2010
    10:33am

    Thanks for sharing this! I bought the stuff, but then never tried it, maybe that’s what I will do today! Thanks!

    Yvonne
    10 Feb 2011
    9:24pm

    I love this look but found that only older NG mags worked. Also I used turpentine because I can’t find Citra Solv. Where did you purchase yours? I have looked everywhere.

    Nadya
    8 Oct 2016
    1:03am

    Wow! I hadn’t seen this before, such a kool technique! And I do have a stack of Natnl. G to try it on! Xxx

    Lynn
    18 May 2023
    10:52pm

    Can you leave your magazines overnight?

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