Printmaking at the Holland Project

I love learning new things.

Paid a visit to The Holland Project today (a local cooperative of artists) for their free printmaking workshop. The emphasis was on printmaking without a press, which makes it a form accessible to many, cost effective and full of creative potential.

We started by discussing various forms of printmaking, including lots of things I hadn't considered to be part of the genre—like stenciling. Who knew? So diverse! I think the best part is that it's a vehicle that doesn't discriminate. It favors both the practical (e.g. home decor, scrapbooking... anything "crafty") and the philosophical (e.g. "high art")—and kinda marries the two. Very cool.

The two forms we used today were Sun Printing and Solvent Printing. Word to the wise... when you do Solvent Printing, make sure you're in a well-ventilated area. Otherwise... yikes.

Here's a quick breakdown of each:

Sun Printing—

• Basically, it's a photographic process in which you expose treated paper to light while covering the areas you would like to protect from the chemical transformation. You can use any object with some degree of opacity (like a transparency with something printed on it, an object, etc.) to block the light and create the shape you want. We used the cyanotype method, which is the most common.
• You'll need: a light source, sun printing paper (available at most craft/art stores, objects, a sheet of glass (optional)
• Once you get your paper (don't take it out of the bag until you're ready to use it), arrange your objects over top holding them in place with a sheet of glass if you want precise edges. If you'd like to play with shadows and edges, forgo using the glass and manipulate the objects during the exposure process. Expose the paper until it turns almost white, it takes a few minutes (although overexposing—like, for several days—can create some cool effects, too). Remove it from your light source and run it under cold water until the image inverts to set it (blue becomes white and vice-versa). 

Before...

...and after.

Solvent Printing—

• This process is mega-cool. You take a xerox copy, a absorbent surface such as paper or wood (even canvas to an extent, as long as it's not gessoed or the gesso is about 99% dry and still slightly tacky), and use solvent to transfer the image from the original xerox copy to your new surface. Such a neat way to achieve rustic looking design. 
• You'll need: Xerox copies (won't work with copies from an inkjet printer—you need something very toner heavy and high contrast), an absorbent surface (other paper, wood, fabric), a solvent to release the toner from the original image (Goof Off, a Colorless Blender or—get this—Wintergreen Oil), and a dry rag. 
• Lay down the xerox image onto your surface, ink side down, and tape in place if necessary (if the image moves, you won't get an accurate transfer... which could be cool if intentional). Take your solvent and sparingly wet the area over the ink you want to transfer. You don't need a lot of solvent—it's really the pressure you apply that does the heavy lifting here. Take your rag and rub over the surface, pressing hard. Continue this until the solvent appears to dry. Lift the xerox and... ta-da! There you go.
• Overlapping images can be tricky. If you do one transfer and then another over top, the original might not survive.
• One xerox copy is good for one transfer. They can't really be used multiple times.
• Different solvents have different effects. A color blender will give you an accurate transfer with little to no mess. Goof Off will make things a little more unpredictable, but often produces cool results you wouldn't anticipate. Wintergreen Oil is the least effective, but natural. It's good for a rustic, decaying, vintagey-type look.

Animals + Americana = Animericana

Okay, there you have it. Please try this at home. And The Holland Project does these free workshops every month... so come to one if you're around!