Sometimes it’s good to live on a building site. (Yes I am trying hard to find the positives in these never ending renovations) It’s good because there are lots of interesting bits and pieces lying around to play with!
To escape the frustration of on-again, off-again rain on the weekend I stole a couple of white tiles that were destined for our new family bathroom and set up for some mono printing.
Mono printing is just a fancy way of saying ‘making just one print’. The most common way we’ve made mono-prints is by finger painting onto a plastic covered table and taking a print from that, but with a rambunctious two year and 3 other kids in a small space, I didn’t think I could cope with the mess of finger painting, so I opted for something a little more contained.
Using a tile (or any other smooth shiny surface, you could use a plastic tray, or even an oven tray) helped the kids keep the paint to a confined area. This time we used paint brushes to brush water colours onto the tile, though you could also use your fingers.
You need to work pretty quickly so the paint doesn’t dry out. Once you have your picture looking just how you want it, carefully place a piece of paper down over the top and press it down with your hands. Make sure the paper comes into contact with all surfaces of the tile and there is no bubbles or ripples.
Then carefully peal back the paper to reveal your master piece!
A quick wipe of the tile and you are ready to start all over again. Don’t forget to have somewhere to dry all the art work… We always end up with paintings all over the dining room!
H-M Uusimäki says
Nice prints! I wiil try that with my kids! We will make gift wrap using plastic coverd table, maybe. Thank you for a great idea.
Jackie says
I really love this idea. It’s great that the painting can stay within a contained area- but that it can be wiped down and used over and over and over again.
Now going to search hubby’s shed to see if we have any left over tiles from our extension.
Catie says
If you use tempera (water soluble) paints and want to go slowly, you can let the paint dry. When you are ready to print, simply spray with water and put the paper on as usual. :-)