In case you lost your directions or missed out on a kit, we have you covered. In this series, we will be showcasing past projects, in particular those that were originally released as Surprise Craftertunity kits at the library. So get ready to grab some spare materials and start crafting!
Look what just dropped today! Be sure to come in to the library to pick up your kit and get started creating!
As adapted from the Alisa Burke: Redefine Creativity blog for use by the Brown Deer Library
Monotype printing is a painting technique where paint is applied in a design to a flat sheet of metal, glass or plastic (any smooth and non-absorbent surface works) and then transferred to paper or canvas. Additional designs can be added or subtracted with hard materials to push the paint around (end of a paintbrush or the tip of a cotton swab work well) and the final picture can be replicated as long as the design remains on the initial paint-laden sheet. You can stop there or start layering with additional painted designs over the top.
Materials
Canvas (Included) /Paper/Fabric (Not Included)
Plastic Bag (Included)
Paint (Included)
Paintbrush (Not Included)
Roller (or other means of "inking up" the bag and pressing it onto the paper) (Not Included)
Toothpick/Cotton Swab/End of an old Paintbrush (to pull away paint in a pattern) (Not Included)
Newspaper (or something else to go under your work to keep your area clean)
Directions
"Ink up" your plastic bag. The original creator of this project, Alisa Burke used a small paint roller, but you could use anything to apply your paint. You could even just paint it on.
Take your tool to pull away paint - Burke mentioned using a cotton swab on some, hard end of a paint brush on others - in whatever design or pattern you would like to attempt.
When you are satisfied with your design, place your plastic bag paint-side-down on your canvas and press it flat. Burke used the paint roller again, but you could even just smooth it flat and press it down or use a squeegee or whatever you would like.
Remove the bag from the canvas.
If you have enough paint, you could even apply it again to the canvas to create what is known as a "ghost print." Otherwise, repeat steps 1-4 until you have a picture to be proud of.
Experiment with different ways of applying the paint, whether it be painting an actual design on the bag, painting a design and using a hard tool to pull certain parts off, or something completely different. Whatever you do, you'll find that it creates a truly unique experience.