Diana Trout's blog

Book Reviews: Print, Stamp and Paper Stencils

I love a good book, don't you? Here is another batch of books  scroll down for video - none are new but all have passed my stringent test for permanent shelf space. They've held up over time and passing fads. 

I love Traci Bunker's Print and Stamp Lab. It's so accessible that I've done it with kids and teen classes at the library where creative budgeting is the name of the game. (All of these books are linked below the video.) You can get started making stamps as soon as you buy the book with items you already have in the house. Here's an in-process journal page. I'm using gasket printed tissue paper from blog follower and friend, Jenny Pesavento. I love that tissue paper disappears when you glue it down.(Thanks Jenny :)

Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is a great source of basic hand printing techniques. Silkscreen, stencil printing, potato printing, cyanotypes and more. It's a great project based orientation to printmaking. Solid. And I love that she demos how to make your own stamp pads. Worth the price of admission right there. 

This next book, The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils is only loosely connected. It's not about cutting stencils. Do you remember folding paper and cutting snowflakes when you were a kid? That's what this is about. (The price as of 2/10/17 is $.01 ).

You can use freezer paper to cut these out and then use them as stencils. They don't last very long but that's ok. It's really a fun and relaxing project-based book. This is definitely the kind of thing that's good when you aren't feeling your most creative but still need to use your hands.

Finally, I'm introducing the book Notan because I'll be doing a video the dark/light concept of composition soon. It's a fantastic book for designers and artists and I have a couple of fun projects that go with the book.

Affiliate Links to Amazon (I get a % of sale. No cost to you).

Print and Stamp Lab; Traci Bunkers http://amzn.to/2lvvLB7
Print Workshop, Christine Schmidt http://amzn.to/2lvE5Rp
Notan, Dorr Bothwell http://amzn.to/2loL69A
The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils, Yaguchi Kamako http://amzn.to/2loTNRt

Crafty Haul from February

This winter was a little crazy around here as some of you may recall. I was having surgeries, recovering (sort of), making videos and uploading them. Then forgetting all about them. Ahem. So here is one of the lost files. The supplies are listed below the video. I did learn a great tip since making this video. When you get a new stamp, ink it up with either Versamark or Archival Ink pad. Wipe that ink off with the heel of your hand or a soft dry cloth. It will be seasoned and ready for use.

I'm still taking it easy this week. I'm doing the live stream tomorrow, click here to set a reminder. It's at 12 PM EST. Click here for time zone converter. Get out your alcohol markers or alcohol inks and some ranger glossy, vellum or Yupo paper. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

 

Painting on Yupo Live Stream

Hey gang, Next Tuesday, May 3 at noon (EST) I'll be live streaming over at YouTube. The topic is Painting on Yupo with alcohol markers and alcohol inks. I've got all of the glitches ironed out in the world of live stream. I hope you'll join me. It's such fun to have the interaction and chat. You can set a reminder here on YouTube.

About live streaming: You'll click on that link above when it's time for the stream to begin. People get there a bit early usually and start chatting. The chat box will be on the right hand side of the screen. 

I'll be using some of the products from the April ArtSnacks box, blog post here. Here's that video. 

This is a take on the class I'll be teaching, Exploringi Yupo, at Art Is You CT on Oct 9 in Stamford, CT.

I'm officially still on a little at-home retreat. Being peaceful and trying not to work. I've had some lovely outings with good pals, my husband and all grown up kids. Long walks, time for writing and reading. I needed this more than I realized. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

 

Repetitive Stamping Techniques

Carve, ink, print, repeat. 

I carved this stamp while doing demos in my MeetUp on Saturday. I figured it would be a throwaway because I wasn't taking my time as I explained the techniques. 

But look how lovely! Blocks of pattern can be very restful to your eye. I love the look of this on white. Sometimes, especially if you are a More is More person, it's a good technique to use to add some quiet to your page. The page is covered (just the way you like it :) but there is rest space. 

Man I LOVE that Tsukineko neon pink ink. I'm going to collect the whole range; so juicy and vibrant. Yum. They are pigment inks so dry slowly. This doesn't bother me but I know lots of you prefer the dye inks. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

This Week Today

I started writing this on Monday, 3/15 and have been at it all week.

A bit of sunshine for your Friday morning ... 

Monday mornings begin on Sunday night for me as I sprawl on the sofa with my planner. 

On Monday, I pretty much ignored what I'd written in my planner and did a Live Stream on stamping in a little book instead.

In my studio, I have a big basket and box project folders for YouTube videos and I keep doing things off the cuff instead. Here is a look at the flip book I was working on.

Tuesday: My planner says "Watercolor." Also: "Work on Mixed Media Watercolor class."

Here's some of the painting I started. (at the top of this post: I love the idea of the flowers glowing yellow around the bulb part and the sunlight dancing along the tops. Sorry about the uneven lighting.)

The red coming down from the flower needs more definition. 

I will go back into the right hand flower and lift paint out for the stamen "legs." I love that brown from mixing green and red. 

Tuesday Night: Aunt Betz called from the hospital: Pneumonia. Wednesday was devoted to helping her get settled, talking to her doc and the nurses and distributing chocolate bunnies to all involved.

The rest of the week is up for grabs. I'm heading to the studio to work on some watercolors again and maybe get started on another flip book. Mixed Media Watercolor class is underway. This happend

After being inspired by the Gelli Arts folks here, I folded a bunch of mark-making tools for the Gelli Prints video coming soon.  Today is the son's birthday so this is underway

Who knew there was a thing called Hipster Animals? Honestly! Google it. They are hilarious. I caved and purchased the set from Hero Arts after watching Kristina Werner make a card with it here. I think they need bodies but they could also be trophy heads. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'm looking forward to my stamp carving class tomorrow. Off now to visit my auntie. Here are some of the materials and tools I used this week (affiliate links used).

 

 

Stamping and a Little Book (Live Stream)

I ran a test this morning and managed to Live Stream on YouTube. The first few minutes were kind of loopy but then it's OK. I was working on a little bitty interactive book with some hand carved stamps. 

I spotted something on YouTube called a FlipBook. It reminded me of little books I used to make a lot with fold outs and pockets. We talked about Shereen LaPlantz book, Cover to Cover. I mentioned ground breaking book conservator and artist Hedi Kyle, the inventor of the Blizzard Book and Flag Book (google her). 

It was pretty exciting to be making art and talking to people. Here it is. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

 

Learn to Print: Four Books to Create Personal Imagery

March is National Craft Month and I have some fun crafts to explore with you. Printmaking and Stamp Carving are both arts and craft. I've chosen four of my favorite books to share with you. (I wanted to also share Traci Bunkers book, Print and Stamp Lab, but it is MIA. I'll review it separately. *Scroll down for video*

Carve, Stamp Play by Julie Fei Fan Balzer is my go to stamp carving book. It's loaded with inspiration that has a broad appeal and Julie's instruction is clear and concise. That, paired with excellent photography makes this an excellent resource.  I have another video coming soon with more information on Julie's book

Geninne D. Zlatkis' Making an Impression is a visual feast for the stamp carving enthusiast. The information is clear and the photography is very inspiring. It has less technical information than Julie's and more applications and project ideas. 

On to printmaking. 

Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is a fresh take on standard printmaking techniques such as relief printing, stenciling, veggie printing and water slide decals. All of these (and more) techniques are applied to projects perfect for DIY'ers. 

Printmaking Unleashed by Traci Bautista is a wild ride with some very original ways to print: clay stamps, subtractive printmaking, acrylic skins. So much fun and so many things from around the house. 

Here is my video review. Next week, I'll go into more detail with Julie's books and general supplies for stamp carving. Have a great weekend! 

Gelli Prints with Pigment Inks

Hey gang, who loves Gelli Arts Printing plates? I've been playing with my printing plate with pigment inks and a Fiskars Stamp Mount. You could try this method with any kind of plate, really. I have used plexiglass and you could use a stamp mount, old DVD or CD case. (Video below).

The prints won't be as clear but - what the heck! I mounted my small plate (4"x5") onto my large Fiskars stamp mount (9" x 11") and used pigment inks from Avery Elle and Memento Luxe. 

Tech Talk: What is the difference between dye inks and pigment inks? Dye inks are thinner and sink down into the paper; thus "dye." Pigment inks are thicker and sit up on the surface of the paper. The pigment inks take a while to dry (you can hurry them with a heat gun) but they held on to the gelli plate better. Pigment inks can be used on fabric. Heat set them before washing.

This technique was inspired by the new Gelli Plates available in smaller shapes. Super cool. I think that I'll be using my plate more now. So much fun and a bounty of collage and background papers. You could stamp right into your journal. 

 

 

Related articles

Bursting with Color #LoveSummerArt

Doodle Flowers #Love Summer Art

Stickers!

Magical Mojo

Over the weekend, I had some stampin' fun.

I pulled out all of my flower-y stamps and dye inks and piece of cardstock. It was a good way to spend a rainy day.

It's best to start with the largest flowers and stamp in three's or fives (depending on the size of your paper. Then fill in with medium, then the smallest sizes. 

My friend, Susan did this piece a few weeks ago. This stamp set works in layers - kind of tricky to use but it's vintage-beautiful.

Oh Yea! I want to make one using this set with yellow and pink roses intermixed. You could definitely make these papers and then print them out for your own backgrounds for cards or journal pages. 

The links below are some of the stamps and stamp pads I used. Dye inks do a good job here. Use what  you have or use your markers to color your stamps.  My favorite kids markers are the Dick Blicks in this list. Any kind will do.

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

watercolor markers	Altenew VINTAGE FLOWERS Clear Stamp Set	Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Bohemian Garden by Julie Ebersole	Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk	Neenah Classic Crest 110 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets
Hero Arts Ink Cubes Pack, Cool	Hero Arts Ink Cubes Pack, Winter 4 Blues	Hero Arts Ink Cubes Pack, Sweet

InLinkz.com