Monoprinting with stencils and more...

I love using my gel plate for monoprinting, but it is veryaddictive.  I usually get out a range of different types of papers - cartridge paper, deli paper and printer paper usually.  I limit myself to around 15 sheets of paper because otherwise I would just keep going.

Two reasons for keeping to a small number:
1.  I don't have enough room for a large number of papers to dry.
2.  there's only so many things I can think of to do with the painted papers.

Actually there's a third reason:
I've found the best prints are those that have several layers so even with 15 pieces of paper I might be pulling 45-50 prints.

This time I knew I wanted to play with my text stencils.  Here are some of the results.

I frequently photograph or scan my monoprints.  This is especially useful if you put another layer on one you really like and don't like how it turned out.  In addition, if you have scanned one you really like, you can use it multiple times.

The other useful thing you can do is change the scale of your print on your computer - larger or smaller - and use the print out for collage.

Next time I'll show you what I did with these papers.

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice

        

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Advent starts this coming Sunday and continues until Christmas Eve.  It's a time to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

Mary Brack has again set up an Advent study called Advent Words.  You can find all the information on her blog: Found on Brighton.

At church, I have been involved with a series of blog posts which starts this Thursday and takes us through the Christmas story, right through to the arrival of the Kings at Epiphany in January.  Actually all I've done is transfer the amazing blog posts and schedule them onto the church website.  Alongside the written posts, there is a series of videos for children made by our children's worker.  In addition I designed a craft activity for children with adult help.  But there's nothing to stop adults joining in.

The series of seven blog posts is called Light in the Darkness.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

        

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I have really enjoyed playing in a sketchbook.  I haven't done all of the ideas Laura suggested but I'm happy with my progress.

Painted papers

Painted papers and some papers found in the magazine Somerset Studio

Painted papers and stencilling

A photo of Venice painted out a bit!

Photo of my textile pieces cut up and collaged in

Paper from Somerset studio, a black & white photos of Venice, a photo of a neutral bit of my textile work and a turquoise monoprint

Stencils

A mixture of sources.  I love the fact that some of the paint on the left peeled off onto the right when I closed the book.  Now sealed with matt medium to be sure it doesn't move again!

The next exercise is to draw!!! Here's a couple of the photos I've taken of glass items we brought back from Venice.

Fortunately the suggestion is we start with tracing the image.  I can manage that!

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

        

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I first came across the term negative space in relation to scrapbooking.  Although mostly it was called white space which was a bit confusing because it didn't have to be white!

According to iphotography.com
Negative space is the area surrounding the main subject in a photograph which is left unoccupied. Put simply, it is the space around the object itself that helps define the positive space (or main focus). When used creatively together, negative and positive space can communicate the composition of your photograph.

Once we had agreed what negative space is, we chose it as our latest theme for Snapshot Girls.

The first few I took at the beach.

I think the sky makes and easy way to find negative space.

The next two I'm not so sure about.  Do they fulfil the brief?

What do you think?

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice

        

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I haven't done much with acrylic paints lately or done much in a sketchbook just for fun.  So when I saw Laura Kemshall's Sketchbook Challenge I signed up straightaway.  There are 8 sessions and she has just released session 3.

Firstly we had to take parts of pages out of a sketchbook and stick some painted papers back in.  The second session involved adding colour based on the paper that had been stuck in.

Part of session 3 was about stencil rubbing.  I practised on some of the paper I ripped out of the sketchbook.  I'm not thrilled with the stencils so I will have a look through to see if I can find anything else.

Laura used circle stencils in her sketchbook.  However all my circle stencils - and there are quite a few - are locked away in the studio at church.  Maybe I could do squares instead!

Laura is an excllent teacher.  I suggest you check out the Sketchbook Challenge.  It's a work at your pace challenge so it's not too late to join in.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

        

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