PRINT: Lino Prints

LINO PRINTS

History
Linoleum (Lino) is actually a flooring material. But the Lino block used for art/craft purpose is a bit different from the flooring one.
Initially i carved out some simple patterns onto my lino with a sore neck, and when the pain subsided a bit tried to replicate a picture from a coloring book. These two prints are done over two weeks and these are my last prints.
Supplies: A Lino Tile, Lino/Wood Carving Tools, Paint, Sponge Roller, Hard Rubber Roller, Fabric and a flat tray.
Notes:
I got a set of Lino Carving Tools; Actually i got some wood carving tools but they can be used on Lino also. Its a set of six tools but i used only two tools to carve the tiles. Here is a picture of one of my tile.

For the first print, I choosed “Cherry Red” straight out of the paint bucket. I got a sponge roller, wish i had a foam one. I found it is difficult when matching the edges; the overlapped prints will be more solid than the rest. But i love the way the print turned out though i wished i should have practised applying the paint on tile more, for an even print. Its a 40” X 22” inch peice of cloth. If not anything it can become a big cusion cover.

This one turned out to be a “Leaning Tower of Eiffel”. When i was transferring the pattern on to the lino tile, i didn’t align it properly and the print turned as if the tower is leaning. I printed around 8 towers in two colors but i don’t have anything in mind for them.

With this my printing classes came to an end….

PRINT: Autumn Leaves

AUTUMN LEAVES

History
I had a stiff neck a few weeks back (which is still bothering me) and couldn’t strain my hands a lot. So while others are doing some lino carving; i did some printing.
I got this idea when i saw the visitors parking at our units after a drizzle. The wet leaves from a what looks like a maple tree got stuck to the ground and moving cars stamped them into the asaphalt.

Supplies: Too many things to list… and some leaves
Notes:
I should learn to mix the colors that i visualise in my mind and also understand the limitations of printing. I think its time for me to invest in a color wheel. The leaves are placed flat of the fabric and the colors are run over them. Then the leaves (which have their back paint on them) are flipped and pressed to give that leafy texture. See the closeup below;

My hand is not a position to do some printing so my instructor had to help me with that.
As usual the prints are on a sheet of white cotton; I cursed myself for not doing one more print. It would have been a nice set.

Some Lino prints next time….

FOUND: Jute Hot Pads

When i saw these Hotpads, I became nostalgic…
The memories of the “Kirana” shop guy packing all the groceries in newspaper and tying them with a Jute yarn; came back flooding. Ok Ok they still pack in that way in my native place… Just that i have been shopping for the past 5 years in supermarkets
Try these…Unavailability of yarn is no excuse this time…

PRINT: Yacht Fleet

YACHT FLEET

History
I am not sure if i can say a group of yachts, a fleet??? if you know a correct term, please do leave a message so that i can correct myself.
Last time (Class 3) i messed up my print… so this time (Class 4) i was a bit determined to do a decent print and also we were learning about “Repetitive prints”.
Supplies: Too many things to list…
Notes:
I choosed a simple design and i am back to 2 colors.
I was also experimenting with my stencil materials. I used a acetate sheet this time; last time i was using some glossy paper and i can say it is not at all suitable as it shrinks when it comes in contact with water and also there was a lot of bleeding. The advantage of acetate sheet is we can see where we are printing but the sheet becomes brittle and cannot be cleaned and reused later on. Also there was slight bleeding which is insignificant when doing bold prints but not for fine prints.
I learned some tips and tricks on registration from my instructor but still i have a long way to go on that, especially when doing multi-colored prints. I think i can comfortably attempt mono-color repeats, though a multi-color one will take up lot of planning for me.
I think it also depends on the tools you use. Professional printers can’t fuss with registration everytime… do they??? We use very basic tools in the class which keep our confidence levels high for kitchen printing.

This one is also printed on a sheet of white cotton; but a lady at my class was asking for the pattern so that she can print it on a t-shirt for her nephew. The Blue color is not stright out of jar, but premixed by somebody else and i was just using.

I can turn them into placemats or a pillow cover.. How about a baby bib??? ; but with no sewing machine here they have to wait.

(Its like having breakfast by the sea everyday…)

PRINT: Orange Orchid

ORANGE ORCHID

(Sorry for the crumpled fabric, i was too lazy to iron it…)

History
We are supposed to do some multicolor prints in our 3rd class and i choosed a simple pattern but with 3 colors while most of the other students went for two colors.
Supplies: Too many things to list…
Notes:
I didnt want to go for a complicated pattern as i did for my monocolor print. I choosed a simple design but with 3 colors. I also wanted to use colors straight off the shelf, no more mixing as you can never be satisfied with the shade . I was so in a hurry to see the printed version of my design that i skipped some basics and the print was a bit messy. I felt it is cool in its own way, but next time i will keep in mind all those little things that make a lot good difference.

(As you can see the last 4 trees are really messy….)

I just printed it on a sheet of white cotton cloth.

Probably i can cut little squares with one tree on each and stitch them in a corner of a place mat or use it as a lining if i make a bag or something.