Printmaking Mixed Media

Introduction

Part 3: Step-by-Step Projects

Part 1: Printmaking Without a Press

Pendants Silhouettes

Chapter one: Screen printmaking

Calendar

Chapter two: Collgraph printmaking without a press

Flag Book

Chapter three: Monoprinting without a press

Wall Hanging

Chapter four: Sun printmaking

Accordian Book

Fabric Book

Mixed-Media Collage

Assemblage

Part 2: Combining Printmaking and Mixed-Media Techniques Chapter five: Playing with fabric and fiber, stitching

Part 4: Gallery Resources Index

Chapter six: Combining materials and printmaking techniques Chapter seven: 3-D mixed media

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printmaking: an introduction I discovered printmaking about eighteen years ago, while taking graphic design classes at a local community college. I was introduced to several techniques, but the part I enjoyed the most was when the instructor assigned us a project of printing on “found papers.” So not on the specialized fine art papers but on anything else we could find around us. At the time I happened to have some small Japanese papers that I decided to collage over larger textured papers. This collage became my substrate for printing. I screen printed different Asian motifs and some vintage portraits of women. To add texture to the mix, I machine stitched over the collaged print and added some lace and bits of fabric. This was the beginning of my love for mixed-media print­ making, and I have been mixing papers, fibers, and techniques ever since.

A fine art student or artist will probably use only specialized expensive papers to print on and

of using the finished prints in mixed-media art, while showcasing some examples for inspiration.

in most cases will use a press for the act of print-

What I would like to emphasize in this book is

ing. He or she will treat the finished print as a

that printmaking can be a fun and non-threaten-

precious, fragile work of art, will handle the print

ing art form that can add content, color, texture,

with gloved hands and will store it in a protective

and interest to your art. Don’t shy away from using

drawer. My approach to the finished prints is quite

prints or sections of prints in your art. Even the

different. First, I prefer to work with printmaking

unsuccessful or imperfect prints can be used to

techniques that do not require a press or special-

enhance your art!

ized papers so I can save space and money. Second,

Having said that, I am sure there will be many

when my print is done, rather than treating it as a

prints that you would want to keep untouched, but

fragile piece, I may cut it, tear it, glue it, stitch it, or

open your eyes and keep reading about many pos-

paint over it. I may even print over it again or use it

sibilities of creating mixed-media art with prints. I

as a background for another work of art. And last

hope you will be inspired to see some of the differ-

but not least, I enjoy using my mixed-media

ent sides of printmaking.

prints in different art forms: collage, bookmaking, 3-dimensional art, and with fiber art.





---------Dorit Elisha

In this book, I will review the “press-less” techniques for creating prints, as well as several ways

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gallery

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incorporate easy printmaking techniques into mixed-media art Learn simple printmaking techniques and incorporate printed images into mixed-media artwork on paper and fabric with Printmaking + Mixed Media. No printing presses or special papers are required! From screen printing, collagraph, monoprinting, and sun printing, these printmaking techniques are especially affordable and accessible to any artist, from beginner to advanced.

Inside readers will learn:

• E  ach approach is shown step-by-step on both paper and fabric, plus how to combine different printmaking and mixed-media techniques. • A variety of projects including a fabric artist book, a hand-printed calendar, wall art collage, an apron, a holiday book, greeting cards, and more. Stitch, cut, glue, layer, paint, and embellish printed layers to use in fine art or collage, book arts, fabric arts, fiber arts, or assemblage. • A gallery of mixed-media samples from the author and various artists shows even more ways to include printmaking in your artwork. Printmaking + Mixed Media is a great resource for mixed-media artists looking to expand their skills and printmakers interested in reinterpreting traditional methods. Dorit Elisha is a mixed-media artist, printmaker, book artist and fiber artist. She has a degree in art history and also studied graphic design. After working as a graphic designer for a few years, she has spent the last eighteen years as an art teacher in an elementary school as well as an art instructor for adults, where she teaches printmaking and related mixed-media art. Her work has been published in books and magazines including Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilting Arts, Somerset Studio, and Legacy, plus she has exhibited her work in galleries.



Paperbound, 8½ × 10¼, 128 pages 250 photographs ISBN 978-1-59668-095-1 $22.95



June 2009