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| Canicule 16" x 16" painted papers collage on wc paper |
When I first started making art, I tried lots of different things, including simple printmaking. The above printed papers incorporate some of what I learned. I used an acrylic medium on the blank paper to create some "resist" patterning. I then painted on and then wiped off some color. If you wipe carefully the places where the acrylic medium has dried, you can leave the color on the paper while exposing the marks made with the acrylic medium.
As I was considering which colors and prints to use, I was concerned about too many prints making things too busy. One of the things about my "style" that I like is the simplicity/complexity factor. I like for things to be so simple that they are almost complex, if that makes sense. So, in my little pea brain, too many patterns would be too much and not complex in a simple way. (See what I mean?) Less is more in other words. I solved the problem by interspersing more solid paper with the prints. I thought it was an effective "fix".
The other thing that was a kind of breakthrough involved cutting out all of the shapes before gluing them down so I could "demo" the colors. It's just like doing a color mock up. Why I never did this before I don't know! It worked well. I shuffled some things around to get a good mix of values, patterns and solids. I will definitely be doing this from now on.
The title of the piece, Canicule, is a reference to what I had on my mind while making the piece. Guess what it was? The heat wave! We had a string of super hot days which kind of kept me inside. (I got out super early to take my walk but was otherwise kind of confined indoors.)
OK, on to the next idea, hopefully. Hope everyone is having a good, safe weekend. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby
You have a hit on your hands, Libby! I have always liked your consideration for values and color juxtapositions, but this is on a new level with the printmaking you have conceived. Simplicity/complexity is absolutely the way to describe Canicule. I do not understand, though, your saying you cut out all the shapes before gluing them down. You don't always work that way? I'll look forward to your response, as well as to more of this series using printmaking on some of the papers.
ReplyDeleteCarol,
DeleteThanks Carol! This was one of those pieces where you finish and you think, "Yes, that's it!"
With regard to your question (and thank you for being interested), I don't cut out all of the pieces beforehand to see how they will work. I do cut out tiny little 1" squares for general guidance in placing the colors but otherwise, I have no idea what the final piece will look like. This time, I cut out all of the pieces, full size, in advance and placed them on the page. I saw instantly that the piece would work just fine. It helped a lot to do this. I am now working on the second piece, doing the same thing, and it really helped me to solve some problems in advance. It was a real "Well, duh!" moment when I wondered why I haven't been doing this all along. Honestly.
Thanks again for asking the question. I appreciate it:)
Libby
Dear wow and wow. Just when I think your work can get no better you show it can. I just love this with the printmaking. Colors and balance just couldn't be anymore eye catching. Love it. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
DeleteThank you for such a strong and supportive compliment! The outcomes of these pieces are always a surprise to me. Some are better than others of course which is always an unexpected pleasure:) Keeps me motivated!
Hope you are well. Thank you for your visit and be safe today!
Libby