Lino & Mono Printing

 

Our Material Knowledge exploration of printmaking ended on Monday 11th June with a quick look at 2 other simple printmaking techniques.

I particularly enjoyed lino cutting which is an enjoyable process in itself. The cut is then inked up and used to make prints. These prints can be works of art or used to print your own bespoke cards, envelopes, tags, notebooks and wrapping paper. I will definitely be taking some time over the Summer to develop my lino printing skills with the intention of creating some hand-made gifts and unique wrapping paper for a more personal (and economical) touch.



We attained some reasonable results with ready mixed paint and paint brushes but for best results use print block ink on glass (or stiff plastic) with a roller.

Along with countless inspirational images on the web and YouTube demonstrations, a useful lino cutting instruction sheet for workshops can be found at:

http://wwwlawrence.co.uk/Lino.pdf

For monoprinting see:

http://artcare.salisbury.nhs.uk/Documents/Resource_docs/monoprinting.pdf

This is a more direct method than lino or screen printing, useful for artists who are more comfortable with spontaneous drawing and painting. It is more important to have the correct medium for this as fine lines and details were obliterated when the paper was placed on top using both ready mixed and acrylic paint, oil paint worked best in experiments but comes with the problem of needing white spirit for cleaning equipment and fumes.

Conversation naturally flows at these informal sessions (especially when lubricated by tea and biscuits) and the importance for artists (and everyone else) to make some time to play and share thoughts, ideas and information was expressed again as it has been countless times since the School for Artist Educators began. So give yourself 'permission to play' and come along to our Material Knowledge session on:

Monday 02nd July @ St Luke's Art & Craft Studio, Level 2, 90 Central Street, EC1V 8AJ, London. Suggested donation £1

When we will begin looking at working in 3D. Please bring cardboard, a stanley or craft knife and scissors. Alternatively if you wish to work on a personal project in this social and informal environment then please feel free to bring along your own activity and a mind to skill-share. If you are unable to attend our event, why not organise your own? All you need is some space, a creative activity, some tea and biscuits (I really can't stress enough the importance of these elements) and to invite some friends and family to learn, create and share together.





Screenprinting DIY Style Continued

April's Material Knowledge session explored printmaking further. Without either daylight or the investment of a UV set-up, the photosensitive technique of burning screens proved a little tricky for our late Winter evening class.

For those who wish to explore this further, there are 2 main methods to choose from:

1) Drawing Fluid

This is a more direct approach than using the photosensitive method

Better for beginners

Easier to facilitate a workshop with

The amount of detail depends on the skill of the artist

The screen can be quite easily washed for re-use with less hazardous chemicals used

A positive image is created so what you see is what you get

2) Photosensitive Emulsion

A high contrast image needs to be prepared

Suitable for those more experienced

Difficult to facilitate a workshop without a specialist set-up with UV bulbs or good sunlight

There is potential for greater detail

More hazardous chemicals are required for production and washing

A negative image is produced so how this translates needs to be considered

However, we continued experimenting with the materials to hand with a sense of freedom that our inexpensive equipment gave.

It was found that the finer the gauze material, the finer detail could be achieved with some lovely crisp lines being produced using a silk scarf over a wooden frame as a screen.

It is also possible to print onto textiles quite easily using the same method for paper with acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium. You can blend the paint to any colour you choose, as normal, adding the textile medium afterwards at an easily remembered ratio of 1 part paint : 1 part medium or in simpler terms, equal amounts.

Stencils need to be cut from a thin sheet to avoid paint or ink leaking underneath and using an acetate sheet spray mounted onto the screen gives more durability.