Printmaking is messy business, but the results can be satisfying and visually arresting, depending on the paper and carving technique you use. All printmaking is indirect, meaning that you do the artwork on a piece of wood, linoleum, stone, metal plate, or such, then transfer it to paper. Best of all, you don't need a press to transfer the linoleum print (or a woodblock print), but can use the back of a spoon, a brayer, or press the block down on the paper. Throughout this post are samples of linoleum prints (aka linocuts).
When transferring your artwork to paper, it's important to use the right ink. If the ink is too thin or watery it will flow into the recesses of the design and transfer poorly, if at all. Speedball is an established and well-respected brand in printing supplies and gives some good information.
Today we'll be venturing a little deeper into artwork via projects and techniques using acrylics.
Use gesso for this example of raised letter art. First published on Pinterest, the idea has been expanded by Kelly at View Along the Way. Note that the appearance of the artwork will change with the angle and color of light in the room. ***
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With acrylic paints, painter's tape and a stretched canvas, you can achieve something like the following, depending on what colors you choose and patterns you tape. You may also choose to distress the painting by sanding it, splattering it with a contrasting color, or using some other technique (YouTube is a great resource for acrylic painting techniques). Refinery29 has a how-to on this; be sure to look at the comments for some good tips on how to work the painting. ***
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This third idea was found at Apartment Therapy, a site with many good suggestions for sprucing up your apartment or home. Here's a link to Amazon for pricing the ceiling medallions; I've seen ones like them in local hardware stores. ***
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If you find yourself hungry to delve into painting effects deeper, here's a video by Mark W. of ExploreAcrylics showing us how to achieve the faux effect of marbling. You'll probably want to tape the edges of the canvas on this one or finish them with strips of lath. ***
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Venture well, keeping in mind that 'mistakes' are O.K.
I thought about a tongue-in-check do-it-yourself post for Mother's Day, but it kept going dark on me. The Huffington Post article, "Mother's Day vs. Stepmother's Day: Who Owns It?," explains some of the darkness. Realities of mothers who, in one way or another, for one reason or another, chose not to be motherly add to the mix. So, moving on...
Life is indeed a you-it-yourself project. And sometimes we need to be reminded of how joyful life can be. Here are a few ideas for reminding ourselves.
Hang something in or near a window where the light can catch it. It could be a crystal, or a stained glass panel, a glass fishing float, or beads on a string. Something to catch your eye when you walk by. Etsy's blown_glass category has literally thousands of ideas. Be sure that what you choose has an eyelet for hanging.
Hang a wind-chime inside your house or apartment. The lighter the material you use, the more easily it will be moved by air currents. I've used brass rings in a variety of sizes and something to catch the air like paper. A good collection of ideas for making them is at Squidoo. If you really want to delve into the mechanics of windchime sounds, try Chuck's Chimes. Another way to celebrate life is to put a mirror where you catch a glimpse of yourself from time to time. If you're always frowning, it's time to lighten up and do something fun.
The Droste Effect shown in an image by Tiago Sozo Marcon, Flickr
