Even though winter has officially just begun, the short days and general grey-ness has really settled in and the shortest day is near. Looking at these recent projects, I realise I must be trying to conjure up some warmth and light!
A rather joyful discovery in my life has been cyanotype printing. I had tried this before, years ago, with a kit I bought from a science materials-type store. But after watching a few online tutorials and reading a bit on the subject, I bought some bottles of Jacquard printing solution (like this) and have been experimenting with this fun and rather old technique. If it's new to you, here's a good explanation.
I must admit I've had more failures than successes. I've used the wrong type of paper, over-exposing, and under-exposing, not securing my printed matter properly and the wind moving it around, and more! But like with everything I try, it's an extended process of trial and error! I'm still not completely certain about the best length of time to leave my prints in the sun, but I have created some lovely little postcards and prints I'm happy with to send to friends and save up for future correspondence.
The things I have learned about the process are:
- a rougher watercolour paper is best in nearly every case. It holds up to the process and the texture helps with clarity of prints
- it's simpler to make a print with pre-pressed plants, leaves and ferns
- clothes pegs are great for securing the layers of board, paper, plants and glass
- it's tempting to wash and wash the finished print but that can damage the finished piece, so a quick rinse or soak is enough.
I will no doubt keep practising. I'd love to make layered prints and also to print on fabric, but have so far found that to be a trickier process. I might need to wait until spring for some decent sunlight!
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I'm lucky enough to have a subscription to Skillshare, which is an online programme packed with video classes and talks from all sorts of people around the world. I stumbled upon a class by Penny Dean about creating a custom watercolour palette.
After coveting a special watercolour travel set, I realised I could make my own by buying an empty folding palette and adding in watercolour pigments from tubes I already had. I made a little chart to remind me which colour is where. The method for creating your own set is pretty simple. You lightly scour the plastic before squeezing in pigment, then let it dry for a couple of days. It's quite a thrill to have this custom set. The first thing I did was try a bit of 'negative painting' of plants.
Then a quick painting of Paekakariki beach, from a photo I took a few weeks ago when Tom and I headed over to Kapiti for the weekend. It's such a beautiful spot at dusk, with the wet sand glistening and Kapiti Island quietly watching over everything.
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Finally in this post, I've included my latest knitting project - a pair of socks for Tom. He is very knit worthy and loves to wear handknit socks. but it's been a couple of years since I made him any. His old ones had worn through. For these, I used some sturdy grey Regia sock yarn and colour-blocked that with dark green, mustard yellow and navy sock yarn left over from other projects. My Ravelry notes are here (including a link to the free pattern I used).
It's great that my favourite musician of all time Kate Bush is back in the news/charts since her song Running Up That Hill featured in a Stranger Things episode. It reminded me that her album The Sensual World is my favourite winter-weather soundtrack. I recommend playing it through your headphones on a wild Wellington windswept walk... it doesn't have to up a hill but it probably will be!
Take care,
M XX
