Bucket Of Ice

This is the second screenprint I did this year using the drawing fluid. I've had run out of wood to make screens but found you can get frames from Ikea, although they are a little big and hurt your wrist when you phillips head them in. This one is on a natural cotton I found tucked away in the quilting section of Spotlight. I normally bypass this section due to the ghastly print options on offer, although have sometimes found some nice surprises.

Tomorrow I'm at Rose Street, come along with a bucket of ice and I'll be your BFF, come and take over for me and I'll give you my first born. I've got two bottles of water in the freezer ready for tomorrow and a whole stack of Valentine's Day Cards ready to go. I spent today photographing the cards again, this time in a lightbox. I didn't need to use lamps, the sun outside was blaring in so the lightbox came in really handy. You can check out my handiwork at the new Etsy Shop.

Little Shoes

I'm due for a new pair of flats after my last pair were ruined on that weekend in December when it wouldn't stop raining. After drinking too much wine at the Rose Street Christmas Party I walked through puddles with gay abandon and they just didn't recover. As I was staying over at my sister's house I had to buy a pair of shoes at Coles the next day after waking up to find them with pools of muddy water inside. I had originally got the shoes back in February after I went to the MixTape party and wore a pair of very lovely vintage shoes that were not designed for walking long distances, like across the road. My feet were thankful for late night shopping that Friday night.

These little red shoes would be an ideal replacement although I'm not sure I would be too keen to wear the white lace socks. I've been making little artworks, either screenprints or applique and taking them along to Rose Street and other markets I've been doing. It seems the shoes are quite popular so hopefully I can organise myself to get them up on my Etsy shop.

Speaking of Etsy shops, the new Able and Game one is up for all your Valentine's Day card needs. The Etsy shop is only going to be temporary, we will be opening a webstore on the website after Valentine's Day.

Big and Hot

Thanks for all the great comments on the last tutorial post, I was worried it might not make sense and be a little confusing. If anyone has any results from printing using the drawing fluid I would love to see them.

I had a great long weekend, spending Monday at the Big Day Out. Thankgod the current heatwave came a day later, as the 28 degrees was enough for me. Standing in the sun for long periods of time is something I don't ever do, and despite drinking about 2 litres of water in 30 minutes I was still feeling a little dizzy and lightheaded. I had never been to the BDO before, so it was all a bit of a novelty, the last festival I went to was Falls in '99. Highlights was TZU, Cut Copy, Neil Young and Mike Patton in cricket whites AND pads.

This Saturday it is meant to be 40 degrees (104 F) and the tin roof at Rose Street always seems to add 10 degrees onto whatever temp it is already. Bridget and I are considering wagging, although I'm hoping the cool change comes in Friday night. Cross your fingers people, we don't want to melt.

Tutorial - Screenprinting using drawing fluid and screen filler

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EDIT: I just want to note that the screen filler is designed to create a permanent screen to reuse over and over. To remove the screen filler there is a product called Greased Lighting which is not made by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta. I've not used it before, that is just what the speedball pack recommends. If you want to reuse your screen I recommend a paper or plastic stencil rather than this method.
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I only just discovered this method of screenprinting recently and had no idea it was available. I felt like a bit of an idiot for not finding out about it sooner as it has the appeal of handcut stencils because it is hands on, but it provides a permanent screen. The print doesn't come out as crisp as my handcut stencils, but as long as you work this into your design then it isn't a problem.

Materials Needed:

A silk screen
Drawing Fluid
Screen Filler
Squeegee
Thin Brush
Gloves
Newspaper


I got my screen filler and drawing fluid from Melbourne Etching Supplies in Fitzroy, Melbourne and they are made by Speedball in the USA. I've not seen it in other art supply shops before and if you're not in Melbourne I think MES deliver. I'm not sure of the exact cost, but it was around $60 for the two bottles. The drawing fluid will last a lot longer than the filler judging by how much I've used already.

You need a longish squeegee to put the filler on the screen, something big enough to cover the whole design so you can get an even coat. If you only have a small one it might cause problems getting an even coat when you double up. Maybe some thick cardboard cut to the right size could also do the trick, although I've not tried this.

I recommend gloves when you put the screen filler on and newspaper for when you working with the drawing fluid to cover your surface. I used a thin brush for my design, but it depends on what you're doing, a bigger brush might suit you better.

You can buy your silkscreens from art supply shops, however they can be quite pricey. I make my own with wood that I cut to size and then nail and staple gun together. If you can't be bothered doing this you could be a canvas frame and remove the canvas, then stretch the silk onto it. I get my silk from All Australian Screenprinting Supplies, located in Bayswater, Melbourne, as they sell it by the meter. I am sure you can get it from art shops as well, I think I've seen it before. Making your own ends up being a lot cheaper when you are wanting a few screens which will be permanent. If you are doing a bit of printing, I suggest getting your inks from All Australian as well in litre tubs. I think if you order over $100 they deliver for free, however make a trip and visit the opshops in the area as they are worthwhile.

Set up your work area with newspaper, I find it is around the screen that drips occur most. If you are not sure about the drawing fluid, have a go at just drawing with it. Because it washes out with water you can do anything and wash it out, let it dry and start again.

The fluid is thicker than ink but not as thick as paint. It is a bit weird and takes some getting used to. I also find you need to use a bit of it to get a thick line. If it is too thin, the filler can cover it up and it wont wash out, so it needs to have some thickness to it.

This is a design I made by dripping the fluid. Although the line was nice and clean, I didn't like the design and ended up washing it out. You don't end up using much of the filler so you don't feel like you're wasting it which is good.

When you are ready to paint your design it helps to draw it on with pencil first. The pencil will just wash out, or come out in your first print. Take your time with the drawing fluid to make sure you have a nice solid line. Work slowly adding the ink when you create your linework to make sure it is nice and thick. It is very important that the line isn't thin, as the filler will just cover it and it wont wash out. If you make a mistake you can use a wet cloth to blot out that area and go over it again when dry. With the pattern on the socks I dotted the fluid on, I find this is a good way to create texture. Make sure your design isn't too close to the edge of the screen. I would give at least a 2 inches/5cm gap. When you start printing, if the ink is going to the egde it can seep out, if you're worried put a paper barrier up around the edges on the other side to pick up any excess.

The final design. You need to leave it to dry flat for some time. I wouldn't get the hair dryer out right away as the air blowing on the fluid could cause it to move about and screw with your design. I usually put it out in the sun for a few hours. If you don't have much sun it will take longer and if you're unsure leave it overnight. You don't want to lose all your handwork just because you're inpatient now do you? (Speaking from experience here!)

Here is a close up of the fluid, you can see it has a bit of height to it.

This is the screen filler. It is harder to work with than the fluid and so time to get the gloves on, and put some newspaper around as well. I do mine over the laundry sink so you might get a peek at the fabric softener we use, and the old school microwave which doesn't even have pride of place in our kitchen.

Oh look, we use cold power. Okay the colour of the screen filler is nice, the type of colour you dream about your bridesmaids wearing, or is that my nailpolish? Anyway this stuff needs a good stir as it is quite thick and the heavy stuff goes to the bottom. Put the filler at the top of the screen on the same side as the drawing fluid. I put about the same amount on as I would if I wanted to fill the whole screen with screenprinting ink. It is better to have more than less, however it is also messier. I put more on this time and it all dripped off the edge and onto the ground and I didn' thave newspaper down either. It can be cleaned up, but do it right away, don't let it dry then try and remove it.

I've not got progress shots as I couldn't take photos and run the squeegee at the same time, so this is without the fluid, but imagine it is there. You really want to get it all down in one go and not have to patch anything up, so make sure you have enough filler right across the whole squeegee. If you don't get it in one go and there is quite a bit that isn't covered, it might be best to let it dry flat and then add more later, because when you try and patch it up it can often remove some of the filler already there. If you do let it dry and do it again, don't recover the areas already covered if you can help it as the drawing fluid might not come off.

Here is the screen with the filler on it. This is probably my 4th or 5th go at covering a screen and probably the best one yet, so you do get better. If you have some edges that are not covered and they are well away from the design you can patch them up with a brush to make sure ink wont get out the sides.
Now it is time to let it dry. Again, I put it out in the sun, however the hair dryer could be used at this point. If you're unsure, leave it overnight. Make sure it dries flat though, you don't want it upright and all the filler coming off.

Once dry you need to run it under COLD water. Don't use hot as the filler can come off. You might want to use a sponge to get the drawing fluid out, and it might take a bit of water to do it, so fill the sink up a bit and just rub it down. You shouldn't need to use much force, the drawing fluid will come out.

Here are my prints, I did two colours underneath the black and for those I cut the stencils out from paper, so the black part is what I did for this tutorial. I don't think I had any problems with this print with the filler not covering everything or filler covering too much. As long as you take your time and make sure everything is done okay and dry there should not be any problems.

Back

Welcome back to 2009 and hello summer with another 37 degree day. I've been busy the last month doing the usual relaxing and getting my mind around Valentine's Day. Gareth and I have been working on websites and processes and hope to have everything running smoothly come February so everything else has fallen by the wayside.

Gareth and I had a lovely new years at Bridget's house. A few of the shots above are of her very lovely house overlooking the Yarra where we could see the fireworks at midnight. We spent the night playing games, drinking an assortment of drinks and eating curry and then went out to Brighton for fish and chips the next day. I also got to spend a few days down at Lakes Entrance and despite talking about sharks quite a bit before the trip my only encounter of a triangle in the water was dolphins swimming close by while taking a dip. I've not been on our boat for a holiday in about 4 years so it was nice to spend some time away from Melbourne. It is where we spent all childhood holidays and we had some close encounters with sharks and snakes however this time the wine was the only thing causing any grief, oh and the Cointreau.

I'm back in business this week with Rose Street on Saturday. Hopefully it isn't a plus 35 day, although after a month away I think I might be feeling a little rusty when it comes to setting up. I'm going to have some new screenprinted artworks available, I've finished one and hope to get another made in the next few days, hopefully I can get it all done and still go to the cricket on Friday.

Web design skillz

I've been ignoring my blog for the last few weeks, I think starting a new one meant something had to give and this was what went. I'm not sure I can blame the new blog on a messy house but I will try and milk it for all it's worth. I've got the new Able and Game website up and got my business name registration in the post today, I would like to think everything is moving along but the list of things to do is rather long and daunting. The website is lacking a few important things, but usually when I design something it takes me days to come up with something I like and this was done in a night, plus I learnt a bit of CSS and my brain didn't implode.

This weekend is a big market weekend (although the weather is going to be garbage) with Rose Street on Saturday with Jodie from Meringue, who joined me last week. We did Rose Street last year so it was like the good old days, too many superdoopers and laughing at things that we probably shouldn't be laughing at. On Sunday there is the Makers' Market at Abbotsford Convent and the last Spiegeltent Bizarre Bazaar. Shonah will be doing the Spiegeltent Market and I will be at Makers Market on Sunday probably looking a little seedy after a night on the razz. Come along to any or all of them for some Christmas Presents designed by Melbourne designers and artists.

Ric Rac Won!

Thanks to everyone that helped my out with the survey for the Able and Game cards, we got lots of useful information that will really help us out over the next few weeks. I did the random number selector thing and Jodie from Vintage Ric Rac won. If you still want to help out and do the survey it is open and takes a few minutes.

I have some new stockists and both of them are firsts for the label. For those of you in Brisbane, my little felt ladies are stocked at Artefact Framing and Art Studio, 15 Whitehill Road in Newtown. If you're in New Zealand my products are now stocked at Madame Fancy Pants, 217 Cuba St in Wellington.

Also, if you've not been along to the Spiegeltent's Bizarre Bazaar there are two more weeks left. So far I've seen people flipping other people up in the air and a guy do a hand-stand with a sword down his throat, so it isn't a boring place to be on a Sunday morning. The market runs from 9.30 am - 1 pm at the Spiegeltent, between the Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria.

Getaway

Gareth and I spent a couple of days in Daylesford this week for his birthday and I don't think I've been away on a trip for so long I almost forgot what you are meant to do. It was going to be a bit of a surprise but I kind of blabbed about it and spoilt it a little. We stayed in a lovely little place called Pendower House and the woman who ran it, Renee, was fantastic. It is right in the city center, so walking distance to everything. The room was great, not too pricey and we had a lovely home cooked breakfast in the morning as well.

We went to the Lake House the night before for an ooh la la dinner, and it was pretty darn good. We have both been watching Top Chef for a few years now, and it was nice to have the type of stuff they cook on that show. My favourite dish was the dessert plate, which surprised me because dessert isn't normally favourite. It had a different selection of citrus stuff, like mousse, jelly and other things, so you got to try a bit of everything. However after three courses and a couple of bottles of French wine I was feeling a little bit over it all.

We also stopped off at Breakfast and Beer on the way to dinner for a drink on Kitty's recommendation and it was another great place. The bar lady was really friendly and we had a good chat to her about different beers. The picture above is of Trentham Falls, we stopped off on the way home for a bit of sightseeing. We also went to one of the spa mineral water spots, but the water tastes horrid. I had fond memories of grade six camp and drinking the fizzy water, but this wasn't so nice at all.

This weekend I am on the double market blitz, with Rose Street on Saturday and the Spiegeltent on Sunday. Maybe all of you who are out and about at the Design Market can pop over. I know I will be going over to say hello to Ink and Spindle!

Survey + Prizes

Gareth and I need you help with our new Valentine's Day Cards. We have created a survey to find out what you think of the cards. The survey should take between 5-10 minutes to finish and will help Gareth and I develop Able and Game. To view more of the cards please visit our blog, Able and Game


If you do the survey before Thursday 20th of November you can go into the running to win:
- a felt lady badge
- An original drawing for one of the cards
- A screenprinted pouch


To go in the running you need to fill in your email at the end of the survey. The email wont be used for promotional purposes, it will just be used to find a winner then destroyed.


To start the survey click here.

Exhibitions

I went and checked out the NMIT Jewellery Exhibition at Northcote Town Hall yesterday and it is well worth a look. I wasn't sure what to expect because it was a student show, but the quality and workmanship was of a very high standard. Because I have no idea how any of it is made it always seems extra special. I remember looking in Dan's jewellery studio earlier in the year and it was full of all these odd contraptions that looked like they were from a '60s sci-fi film. I'm not sure if they are standard for jewellers but it certainly added to the mistique. The show is on till the 20th of November and is open till 6pm, for more info you can check the myspace page.

I also had a look at Bridget's exhibition at Australian Print Workshop. This one is on till December, so you have plenty of time to go and it is also well worth it and I feel a bit of a connection to the work because we drew the birds together at the Museum. Bridget is having a giveaway on her blog for one of her beautiful felt bird brooches. I have one and think it is perfect and they are great for gifts for Christmas as well so one to keep in mind.


The next week is jam packed full of markets. On Saturday I will be at Rose Street and on Sunday I will be at the Spiegeltent Market and the Makers' Market at the Abbotsford Convent. Well I wont technically be at both, but my stuff will be. Next Wednesday I'm doing the Sandringham Village Twilight Craft Market and I'm looking forward to this one because it is near the water and also near my house. If you're nearby come by and say hello.

Oh and remember to check out the Able and Game blog for your daily dose of romance!