Printmaking

So, after a little hiatus from 'blogging', I have decided to write a new post to show what work I have been focusing on in recent times.

Over the last few years, I have been enjoying experimenting with cyanotype, screen printing and relief printmaking.

This weekend I have been using watercolour and Khadi paper as a background, and then printing over the top using my new copper ink, which I really love.

During lockdown, I have been following the Handprinted blog, which has been giving me lots of inspiration to get printing again.

I shall continue to post my endeavours here..

Light Box Tutorial and a bit of online shopping...

I have been wanting to photograph my makes for quite a while now to upload to my Etsy and Folksy shops.

Finally, the sun was shining and I took my wares out in to the garden and photographed EVERYTHING.

I followed a great tutorial from Pinterest to a lovely blog by Flax and Twine about how to build a lightbox (click here or on the image below to see how to build one yourself).

 

I got some much better photos than I had managed to previously...

Resin Brooch with vintage image of Paris - SOLD on Folksy - my very first shop sale, I was rather chuffed, I can tell you. 

Typewriter cushion - screen printed by moi, available on Etsy and Folksy

Audrey Hepburn Resin Pendant 

Vintage resin brooch

Marilyn Monroe Lavender Bag

Handprinted Butterfly Cushion

Marilyn Monroe Screen Printed Cushion

Lavender Bag

Then I uploaded some of my bits to Etsy and Folksy!

If anyone has online shop tips they would like to pass on, I would be delighted to hear from you!

Marie :)

Printing...and more printing

Natalie Wood (first ever screen print)

I have always loved the process of printing, although I have only ever done block prints before and a little etching, although the negative for this is that I don't have access to a proper press to do it.

Anyway, the one thing I haven't tried, and always wanted to, is screen printing.  I had previously been put off as it seemed as though it was going to be very complicated and require equipment I didn't have.  Then I saw a YouTube video by Bill Flowers.  Ok, so I didn't have everything to hand, but he certainly de-mystified the process.  My first attempt is the very beautiful Natalie Wood screen print you see above.  I was so happy!  I can't believe it worked out as well as it did.  Thank you Bill Flowers!  (Seriously, go to this bloke's YouTube channel, he's great.)

And then I had a go at Gelatin Plate printing.  I had tried this before but with absolutely no success what-so-ever.  Turns out I had just been using far too much ink.  So, this morning, I gave it another go - I am one happy chick-a-dee!

One of my favourites

This was an old lino print that I pressed in to the gelatin, really like how these ones printed

I love the colours on this one

I used some sizzix dies to make the stencils

Overall, I had a very productive morning!

Marie :)

Lino update

Really like how this print turned out - very nice also to use  a proper printing press!!

Lino Printing

Love the idea of lino printing, but always seem to have trouble making the time to do it.

Had a bit of time yesterday, so decided to have a quick to at a figure that I really liked the look of (one of the old "Windmill Girls" apparently).

I must say, so far I am pleased with the results.  I particularly like the white ink version.  I need to cut another print in the "negative" and see how that one turns out.

That will be my next post...