Marbling paper and soaking stencils for printmaking

I took a bookmaking class on Saturday at the University of Southern Maine – Making a Side-Sewn Book from Start to Finish With Stephanie Stigliano. 

We experimented with some simple marbling techniques. We used Suminagashi inks. But she also showed us how to size the paper with alum and water, let it dry and then india inks would work as well.

So I got some alum at the spice section of the grocery store and pulled out the old india ink and experimented. I had to size the paper by wiping it with the alum and water mixture and then wait for the sizing to dry.

I used:

• a recycled plastic tray for the water bath
• diluted detergent as a dispersant
• two small paint brushes
• various print papers
• Arches worked the best and I am not really sure which arches paper it is.

I enjoyed the process even though most of my prints “failed.” So I have ordered some of the suminagashi inks and I look forward to experimenting with them.

Even though ink was not sticking to my paper, I was learn about how to use the brushes and very gently touch the surface and create designs.

I am soaking some new leaves and ferns in a glycerin and water bath. Just mix 2 parts water to 1 part glycerin and fully submerge fresh, strong leaves for a five days. The leaves absorb the mixture and stay flexible for a long period of time.

They do not last forever, but they are much more pliable and make better stencils for making prints with the gelatin plate.

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from Linda Germain http://www.lindagermain.com/2016/10/marbling-paper-soaking-stencils-printmaking/

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