That layering process was totally made up for this session- it’s the reason I love mixed media art because when I get impatient (all the time, which is also when I start rubbing things off 😬), and think I’ve ruined it, I just add more and it eventually turns out very cool. I don’t think the distress inks have an odor. I use the Tim Holtz/Ranger brand and work indoors all the time. I use Liquitex Basics Acrylic Gesso (white for this project, sometimes Clear for others), and I don’t think it smells unless I get very close to it, so I may not be a good person to judge.