This week, we wrapped up a quick printmaking unit. We applied some watercolor painting skills to a simple printmaking process.
The steps of the process:
1. find an image or use one of your own photographic images and resize to fit plexiglass plate
2. scratch plexiglass with a fine sand paper or steel wool. The rough surface is necessary to hold the watercolor paint.
3. Place glass over photograph and paint! Think about negative space as you apply the laters of watercolor. Use a hairdryer or time to allow the layers of your painting to dry. Since there is no paper to soak up the moisture of the paint, you need to be careful with paint drips and pools.
4. Once the painting is complete and dry, you can start the printing process. Soak a piece of watercolor paper in water.
5. Let the paper drip off the excess water and then press the paper gently between two sheets of newsprint or similar. Do not pat dry too much or the print won't transfer. You only want to take off the shiny surface water.
6. Place the paper carefully onto the painted side of the plexi glass. Use a barren or similar to rub the paper firmly. The moisture left in the paper will activate the dried watercolor paint and transfer it from the glass to the paper.
7. Repeat printing process until there is little to no paint left on the plexiglass. Sometimes the second print turns out nicer than the first depending on the thickness/opaqueness of the paint.
8. Clean your glass and try another one!
The steps of the process:
1. find an image or use one of your own photographic images and resize to fit plexiglass plate
2. scratch plexiglass with a fine sand paper or steel wool. The rough surface is necessary to hold the watercolor paint.
3. Place glass over photograph and paint! Think about negative space as you apply the laters of watercolor. Use a hairdryer or time to allow the layers of your painting to dry. Since there is no paper to soak up the moisture of the paint, you need to be careful with paint drips and pools.
4. Once the painting is complete and dry, you can start the printing process. Soak a piece of watercolor paper in water.
5. Let the paper drip off the excess water and then press the paper gently between two sheets of newsprint or similar. Do not pat dry too much or the print won't transfer. You only want to take off the shiny surface water.
6. Place the paper carefully onto the painted side of the plexi glass. Use a barren or similar to rub the paper firmly. The moisture left in the paper will activate the dried watercolor paint and transfer it from the glass to the paper.
7. Repeat printing process until there is little to no paint left on the plexiglass. Sometimes the second print turns out nicer than the first depending on the thickness/opaqueness of the paint.
8. Clean your glass and try another one!