Shape
Shapes are identified by their separation from a background by an outline or contrast. A shape is a closed line. It is flat [2 dimensional].
Types of shapes:
Shapes can be categorized into three types
Organic or abstract [looks like things from nature]
Geometric [triangles, squares etc]
Symbolic [recycling, medical, hearts]
Shapes occur
•naturally [trees etc] or
•Man made [buildings/structures]
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE SPACE
Positive shapes occupy positive space. The area around positive shapes, the background, is negative space.
Positive. Term to describe the figure or subject.
Negative. Term to describe the background [ground]
What is the difference between open shape and closed shape?
A closed shape is a fully enclosed shape.
An open shape is technically a line which doesn't meet up [close] but we still see it as a shape, or it separates a space into sections perceived as shapes
FOCUS STUDY Printmaking
This focus project will combine skills learnt in line, shape, and colour. We will be using Artist model Robert Ellis as inspiration, in particular his paintings where he uses John dory {Kuparu}. Take note of the shapes in this work by Robert Ellis. What can you see?
Process - creating your plate.
Do a series of continuous line drawings of Ika and your hands
select some of the drawings to simplify down to simple organic shapes. [what fish will your hand hold?]
cut these shapes out of thin card [cereal box] and arrange them on a thicker card "plate" in an interesting composition. Think about cropping, focal point and rotation and repetition.
Build up 2 or 3 layers of shapes [hand, fish body, fish details [eyes, fins, scales]
You can add lines and details with a biro pen or skewer and pressing into the card.
Glue everything down thoroughly and allow to dry
BACKGROUND -
spread texture paste onto the background and use a pencil to create pattern like Robert Ellis [parallel lines, water stream, arrows, crosses, symbols [need to be mirrored!] you can also cut cardboard shapes and glue into the background]
Coat your printing plate on both sides with Shellac to seal it. [2 coats]
More plate examples at the bottom of the page
Process Printing Method 1 - Relief print
Colour 1 [lightest ochre or yellow]
Use a hard roller to roll printing ink across your plate. You only need a small amount of ink. Too much and you will lose detail. Use an old brush to get yellow into the areas the brayer [roller] cant access [ONLY DO THIS WITH YELLOW - NOT RED/BLUE]
Place a clean piece of paper over the top and run through the press
Repeat this step 3 times
Colour 2 [red]
roll ink over plate [focus on the shapes and less red in the background]. You need to use less ink then the yellow - otherwise you're just covering all the yellow
Line plate up exactly on top of one of your yellow prints. Flip it over and run through the press
Repeat this on one other yellow print [leave one just yellow]
Colour 3 [Blue] repeat as per colour 2, again focus on the shapes and less ink in the background. Experiment with rolling just sections..
Extension: you can do some single black prints on white or on a watercolor/painted background
Printing Method 2 - intaglio
A successful print relies on being organized and taking time with the process of cleaning the plate. I recommend you work with a buddy who will keep their hands clean to handle the paper.
Wet the paper and place between the plastic sheet to soak in
Scrape ink across the entire plate [only a small amount] using a cardboard scraper.
Remove excess ink with a clean card edge. Make it easier on yourself and try and remove as much as you can at this point with the scraper. Sue tarlatan to remove more from the surface
Use newsprint to remove surface ink by laying it flat on the plate and rubbing your hand across it. repeat 3-4 times with a clean"ish" sheet each time [PUT STRAIGHT INTO BIN]
“polish’’ the plate with phonebook paper [focus on creature], you can leave some darker in the background *ALWAYS USE FLAT PAPER TO REMOVE INK – NOT SCRUNCHED this part will take the longest and is the messiest part!
Call your buddy to prepare the damp paper - it needs to be blotted to ensure all surface moisture is removed [use a towel]
REGISTRATION OF PLATE - Align your plate in the middle top section of the template on the press bed [there should be slightly more space at the bottom, but top and two sides equal space from edge]
Align damp paper over top using template as a placement guide to keep straight
Roll through printer and remove. Dry on drying rack and Start at number 1 again. DO NOT CLEAN PLATE BETWEEN PRINTS.
You should aim to achieve at least 2-3 GOOD prints.
