stencils

When I use self portraits or photos of my nephews in my art the work always has more meaning to me.

It can be a challenge to get a photo that is good for making a stencil. That is why I take lots of photos. And if I get one or two that will be good for printmaking the that is a success.

I miss plenty of fleeting photos because I don’t have my camera ready. But that is really not a problem because my eyes are always seeing shapes, shadows and subjects. And maybe next time I will have my camera ready to capture the image.

I did sketches of the photos. You could do tracings of the photo as well

The traditional “hole” stencil on the left, a layered print in the middle and the masking stencil on the right.

If you are interested in using your own photos to make more personal art then:

1. Carry you camera with you all the time
2. See shapes and shadows
3. Take lots of pictures
4. Be willing to have just 1 or 2 good photos out of many
5. Print out a silhouette/shape/image
6. Just jump in and cut a stencil
7. If it is not perfect or as you imagine, then adjust or try again.

I really liked this shadow.  I had a challenge converting it to a stencil that I liked as much. I had to add some sort of feet and adjust the shoulders.

You might be able to see the adjustments I made in the blue and orange print on the left. So sometimes your photo will be a jumping off or starting place for the final product.

If you would like to explore printmaking methods, check out the current workshops.

Stencils are a quick way to get started with printmaking techniques.

They can be combined with other tools:

• Add them to a screen for screen printing
• Use them with the gelatin plate to make monotype prints
• Adhere them to fabric for fabric printing

Then can be used with or without a press. And can be created or found.

Watch the video below and check out my stacks of stencils.

1. Masking stencil blocks the transfer of ink to the paper
2. Traditional “hole” stencil lets ink pass through the “hole” to the paper

I also use masking stencils to transfer ink to the plate or paper in a unique way when I am printing with the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate.

If you would love to explore stencils, designing them, making them and using them then check out the details of the Make Stencils Workshop, starts July 30th.

The online printmaking class:

• 4 wk Stencil Making Course
• 20 lessons – 34 videos
• 6 month access or download for life

Hope to see you in class soon.
nbsp;

I have been challenging myself to cut stencils with fine lines. Tyvek® makes this possible.

I got a little to complex and the image was confusing.

Beatric Coron said there are no mistakes only bigger wholes. I cut bigger holes to change the stencil to just lines.

Tyvek®is so nice to cut with a sharp blade.

These stencils are all 5″ x 7″, so they could be used for card making and small prints.

I am excited about a paper cutting class that I will be attending this weekend with Beatrice Coron.

In preparation for the class I have been cutting stencils in a new way. I am using:

• Tyvek®
• cutting more detailed designs
• creating designs with a square edge

Then I did some printing with the gelatin plate. I noticed that Tyvek® has a texture. I think it may change when the ink starts to build up.

Tyvek is so nice to cut with a nice sharp blade. It is strong and lasts very long time. I have been collecting images and ideas for things that I might want to cut during the workshop.

I am gathering shadow images and skyline photos and magazine clippings.

Maybe I can use some everyday images to make a interesting and person stencil or two.

I could simplify this complex shadow into a couple of different stencils.

Enjoy some of the incredible work by Beatrice Coron

Watch her TED talk – be amazed.

I love to use natural materials with the gelatin printmaking process.

The 2 prints on the right were made with real grasses and ferns. I love how the gelatin plate allows the printmaker to capture the delicate details of the natural material, and with mere hand pressure.

You can even use ferns and natural materials when printing on fabric with ink and the gelatin plate.

All grasses, leaves and ferns are not the same. You want to choose very flat materials with interesting shapes and textures.