Laurel Martin - Artist
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Pochoir Technique or Using Masks

7/30/2014

6 Comments

 
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I'm always on the lookout for new techniques and I recently  found one that made me drop my carving tools (temporarily!) and pick up my exacto knife.  The effects looked so amazing that I had to give it a try right away.  This technique is only new to me.  It's actually been around for years and is called "Pochoir" which is french for stencil.    I've used masks and stencils before, but never like this!  The inspiration came from a youtube video I found on Pinterest and below is the video.
On the right are the pieces of bristol board that I cut out to use as masks. These are then inked, put on a piece of acrylic, covered with paper and then put in the press.  I was very pleased with the way my jack bottle press performed.   I used midcentury modern shapes to create these monoprints which I call, "Chillin".  I picture this girl chillin at home with her cat, her lava lamp and her tunes in her ultra chic mid century modern way.  I get so excited when I'm trying something new that I make lots of mistakes.  Luckily no one was home to hear the screams from my basement studio when I filled a giant tub with water to soak my paper only to find it had a huge crack in the bottom.  Water spilled everywhere and flowed under the washing machine where apparently a huge spider lived.  He emerged probably more scared than I, and with good reason because he is no more.  Given all the excitement it's a little strange that I called this print Chillin.  Hopefully the final prints do not convey my fear of spiders or the frenzy of enthusiasm which was me as I rolled ink and tore blotted newsprint everywhere.  I am definitely going to try this technique again, perhaps in a calmer more organized state of mind.  I emerged with 6 new prints.  They are all different.  After the sixth print, the bristol board was starting to disintegrate so there will never be any more of this particular edition.  These will be for sale in my Etsy store as soon as I can get them uploaded.

6 Comments
Ann Mackay
8/2/2014 04:46:25 am

I love how the colours and patterns have built up in your prints. Great video too - looks fun!

Reply
Laurel
8/2/2014 08:51:58 am

Thanks Ann : D

Reply
kim
8/10/2014 01:45:10 am

Your washing machine-spider episode made me chortle out loud!

Reply
Marie
2/5/2015 08:09:33 pm

I had the same reaction to the pochoir video as you did.
I love how your Chilen series turned out.
Is # 3 still available?
Did you use a press? Or by hand?
I'm going to be giving it a try.
Keep printing.

Reply
Laurel link
2/6/2015 02:47:08 am

Hi Marie,
Thanks! Yes it's a great technique. I built myself a bottle jack press with a car jack. It worked really well with this technique. I think it would work by hand too. Having the paper damp, but not too damp is key. Soak the paper and then blot in well. If the paper is too damp the ink will bleed at the edge. I'd love to hear how it works if you try it.
Yes number three is still available. They are all for sale in my Etsy shop under the monoprint category.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/198281174/original-monoprint-chillin-3?ref=shop_home_active_2
I want to do more of these, I've got it on my long to do list : D
Happy Printing

Reply
Laurel link
2/6/2015 02:55:41 am

That link didn't turn out too well! You can also get to my shop home page by going to the home page here and clicking the CranberryCloud Shop button.




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    © Laurel Martin 2010
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