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Creative Circle Stamping Ideas with Art Foamies

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Let’s do some circle stamping!! I designed the “5 Dots” set of Art Foamies foam stamps for circle lovers everywhere — seven chunky, versatile foam stamps in different circle sizes and with some small variations.

Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to use these stamps in your art journaling, mixed media projects, and even monoprinting. I put together a quick video about the “5 Dots” set that I designed.  The video is packed with ideas on how to use these stamps together and separately!

Why Art Foamies Are Different

Unlike traditional rubber or silicone stamps, Art Foamies are designed to be used with paint. That means:

  • No scrubbing paint off rubber.
  • Thick, easy-to-hold foam that stamps cleanly.
  • Gorgeous, bold impressions—even on larger surfaces.

Cleaning is simple: just stamp off the excess paint until nothing transfers. That’s it! (If you’d like to learn about my journey with foam stamps and Art Foamies in particular, read this post.)

Basic Circle Stamping Technique

  1. Roll acrylic paint onto a palette with a brayer.
  2. Apply the paint to your foam stamp (always rolling in one direction for even coverage).
  3. Stamp directly onto paper, canvas, or any surface.

You can also pull a ghost print by stamping again without re-inking—the second print gives you a softer, faded circle. With just a few stamps, you can quickly fill a whole page with layered circles.

Double-Sided Circle Stamping

Here’s a trick you might not know: Art Foamies can be stamped on both sides. Since many of the circle stamps are symmetrical, you can flip the stamp over, apply paint to the back, and get a slightly different look.

The impression is often less even, which can add a distressed, textured effect to your art.

Two-Tone Circle Prints

Each circle stamp has a cut-out center that matches perfectly with its ring.

This means you can:

  • Stamp the ring first, then use the center to stamp inside.
  • Create two-tone prints by using different colors for the inside and outside circles.
  • Tape the inner circle to the stamp base for a completely new design.

This flexibility means one stamp set feels like multiple sets!

Layering with Transparent and Opaque Paints

Another fun way to experiment is with paint opacity:

  • Transparent paints let the layers beneath shine through, adding depth.
  • Opaque paints create bold, solid circles that stand out.

Try layering transparent circles over opaque ones to build up rich, multi-layered backgrounds.

Color Transfer & Circle Stamp Kissing

Want something really unique? Try kissing stamps together:

  1. Apply different paint colors to two separate stamps.
  2. Press them together before stamping.
  3. The stamps transfer patterns and colors onto each other, giving you a distressed, textured look.

It’s quick, unpredictable, and always exciting.

Mini Monoprinting with Art Foamies

Here’s my favorite trick: use the plain circle stamp as a mini gelatin plate.

  • Roll paint onto the foam stamp.
  • Draw designs into the paint with a tool (like a silicone tip stylus).
  • Stamp to transfer your drawn design directly onto paper.

This turns your stamp into a miniature monoprinting plate, perfect for adding custom textures and marks.

Mixing Stamps and Stencils

For even more variety, layer stencils over your painted foam stamp. When you pull the print, you’ll get patterned circles with detailed textures inside. Depending on the stencil and paint colors, each impression looks totally unique.

Final Thoughts

With just the seven circle stamps in this set, you can:

  • Make bold impressions.
  • Create two-tone layered designs.
  • Play with transparency vs opacity.
  • Transfer colors between stamps.
  • Even use them for monoprinting.

The Art Foamies 5 Dots set is one of my go-to tools for mixed media because it’s endlessly versatile. Whether you’re filling a sketchbook page, building a collage background, or making a layered print, these stamps give you both structure and playfulness.

So, grab some paint, roll up your sleeves, and see what kind of magic you can make with circles! Hope you learned a trick or two from this blog post!

Thanks for stopping by!

—

P.S. Be sure to check out my livestream at 1pm today on Facebook!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

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