Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Wanderlust 2024 - weeks twenty-five to thirty-two - Printmaking

I was looking forward to this theme of the Wanderlust 2024 course and I have enjoyed it. The first week included some rust dyeing which I had not done before, so that was an interesting start.  We incorporated the images into the page.  There was also making a printing block using crumpled packing tape and doing some gel printing.  The focal image was a print from a polystyrene tile which we incised.  I was pleased with how the page came together. 
Week twenty-six was all about carving our own stamps set and we had to create three squares which would be printed over each other.  The next thing was to print a repeat pattern which I found a bit of a challenge and I didn't get it quite right on the finished page, but I still like the end result and enjoyed carving the three stamps.  
I went full on grunge with my next page, using household objects to print on a gel plate.  I used a few lids and a plastic cover from a plug, as well as some bubble wrap.
Creating fern prints was the focus of the next week, using the fern leaves on a gel plate as well as using the leaf as a stamp too. We then had to cut the prints into strips and weave them. 
Making our own foam stamps was the next focus and I liked adding the bright neons to this page which is one of the most vibrant I have made this year.
Making transfer prints from photos and magazines was the technique here.  The photo which I transferred onto a book page (on the left) shows three of my great uncles, around the time of the First World War.
We had to find a photo of a person which appealed to us for the next week. I chose this girl as I like her attitude.  Once she was cut out of the background, we had to fill it in with descriptions of ourselves - Chris provided the words for mine.  We could then add colour to the image and other details as we wanted to. I really enjoyed this page and using old photographs.
For the 'artful musings' week, I chose to create a grid showing some of the techniques I have been using during the course this year.
Our next theme is 'Drawing' so it will be interesting to see what is featured and how I get on.

8 comments:

  1. I love your creativity and that you continue to learn, to experiment, to grow...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, EC. Doing this course has certainly taken me out of my comfort zone - and continues to do so! It also keeps me creating something every week. I have signed up for next year, so this is going to continue.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  2. Wow, wonderful prints. What an amazing journey you are going on here, I love your interpretations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, sustainablemum. I do enjoy my weekly lessons and learn so many techniques. Sometimes, it pushes me out of my comfort zone and that can be a challenge, but in a good way!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  3. That is absolutely fascinating Ellie & I can see why you are enjoying the course so much. You are very creative - I think if it were me, I would be sitting staring at a blank page. It is hard to choose a favorite but I think perhaps the rust one just appeals to me so much, though they are all wonderful xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie. The course is very inspiring and each week a different teacher takes you through how to create the page. You can then go your own way to make your page or copy what they did. I tend to copy them initially but then take some of their techniques into other projects. At the end of the year, you have a journal that is a reference book too. I find I need something to act as a prompt if I am creating my own page otherwise I do end up staring at the page!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete
  4. Wow, so much variety. My favorite pieces are 2, 4, and 5. Without reading your page and looking at your photo's I would have had zero idea that things like this existed. It's fun see what you come up with. As a person who can't draw a decent stick figure, I really enjoy your goodies.
    Sandy's Space

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sandy. It is a really good course for different techniques and ideas. I like some more than others, but it is good to be pushed out of my comfort zone.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

      Delete