These days I’m visiting the Art Department of Sir Thomas Picton Schoolin Haverfordwest and I’m learning a lot of useful techniques, lessons, systems and creations from the art teachers Ms. Diana Brook and Mr. Lee Phillips. I took some photographs of the work of Zoe Bevans, a student of Year10. I liked her idea to do print of leaves with bleach on black ink, the effect is very interesting!
In questi giorni sto assistendo ad alcune lezioni di educazione artistica presso la Scuola Secondaria “Sir Thomas Picton” di Haverfordwest dove attualmente vivo. Trovo molto interessante confrontarmi con metodologie, tecniche e sistemi di insegnamento diversi da quelli italiani. Per prima cosa devo confermare che la creatività è molto valorizzata nelle scuole del Regno Unito dove “Learning is experience” (vi consiglio il blog Mens Sana dove si elencano le 9 competenze necessarie ai nostri ragazzi per affrontare il futuro…). Le prossime settimane seguirò altre lezioni e di sicuro avrò modo di approfondire il discorso!
Questa tecnica è semplicissima, le foglie vengono pennellate con candeggina e pressate su un fondo di inchiostro nero.
Questa tecnica è semplicissima, le foglie vengono pennellate con candeggina e pressate su un fondo di inchiostro nero.
Effetto particolare con una tecnica semplice!Sono ancora più interessata rispetto alla didattica nel Regno Unito.Tank for sharing your "experiences" :)francep.s.: ricevuta la mail?
These are beautiful. Is she just using india ink and bleach on water color paper?Thank you for sharing,Anne USA, Dallas Texas
Yes, it is just black ink and pure bleach… just be careful to use two different paintbrushes and watch out for clothes! thank you for your comment!
Hi Miriam….the black ..is that acrylic paint or printing ink? ANd must the ink/paint be dry before you place the bleached leaf down? thanks ..love you posts
Miriam I have just seen your post in May saying it was black ink! Sorry…but is it primting ink like you would use in lino prints, or acrylic /writing ink and would this work with acrylic paints?
Hi! The ink that we used is the black indian ink (for example “winsor & newton” ink), The one you usually use for fountain pens (have a look at my post http://arteascuola-miriampaternoster.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/written-with-rainbow.html )The ink is still liquid: you apply the liquid ink with a brush and you can immediately use the bleach on it (sorry for my english, perhaps it’s not correct!)if you have any other question please, tell me!Thanks
Hi Miriam, your blog is fantastic! You've given me so many good ideas for my middle schoolers. They are going to love this stuff! Thanks for posting
Hi!! Thank for your comment! I'm very happy to share my ideas with other teachers! If you have a blog tell me, so I can follow your student's works and Your work!! I'm a middle school teacher too, I know how is difficult to work with teenagers!!! Keep in touch
Hello, Miriam. Would you please tell me what it is you are printing on…? It doesn’t look like paper. Thank you!
Hi Valery! It’s printed on a white cardboard, thick and smooth, but a watercolor paper or an acrylic painting paper should be good as well
Thank you, Miriam. Trying it right now!
Hi Valerie! I would like to see your art work! If you like send me a picture or tell me where I can see it!Thanks for your comment!
This is very neat and I will definitely try this out. What kind of paper do you recommend using? Would a a heavy water color paper work?
Hi April! I think a heavy water color paper or a paper for acrylic painting should work very well. In the project we used white cardboard thick and smooth
Hi Miriam, I am so impressed by your incredibly creative projects and the standard of work you achieve. I tried the Ming vase one with my class and it worked brilliantly. Can I just ask – are the years British year groups e.g. Year 3 = age 7-8, Year 4 =8-9, Year 5 AGE 9-10 ETC?
Many thanks, Jo
Hi Jo, thanks for your comment! Yes, the years British year group are the same. I made the ming vases with children 11 years old (year 6)
Do you let the black ink dry before you print on it? Thank you!
Hi Cat! It’s not necessary to wait until the ink is dry, the process is quite immediate: you put the ink on the cardboard, and print the leaf with bleach on it. Perhaps if you wait too much the bleach has not the same effect. Actually I didn’t try on the dry ink… 😉
Hi can you use acrylic paint or link printing ink, instead of Indian ink. Or if not whereabouts can I get this ink from if I live in the U.K.
Hi Maddie! I think that acrylic paint doesn’t work whit bleach, but if you can, you’d better make some example. I actually don’t know where indian ink came from, because I was in UK at that time. I think you can find indian ink online, have a look at this link https://www.amazon.com/Monstrose-Colors-RP-95000-Royal-1oz-Black/dp/B001JSWL40/ref=pd_lpo_229_lp_img_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9BHSBDHEQPV7JFFZWSEE 🙂
Can you tell me how you get the brown tone and how it is so clear. Mine came out gray and not as detailed. Thanks
I think the color depend on the quality of the ink, and perhaphs it needs a sort of pure bleach. We used indian ink but I don’t remember the brand, sorry… I think you should try with another kind of ink or bleach.
Once the print is done and dried, how do you (if you do) seal it or stabilize the piece? Many thanks! Debbie
Hi Debbie, actually I didn’t stabilize the piece. I don’t know if there is some fixative suitable for seal the piece, I’m sorry I can’t help you 🙁
Hi Miriam, have you ever tried this process on felt, or do you have any information on that? Thanks. I love this project.
Hi Deni, I’ve never tried on felt and I don’t know the result. If you try would you let me know the outcome? 🙂
Only use quink ink as Indian drawing ink wont work.
Thanks for your suggestion Kim, it is precious! I worked in that School in Bristol and we used ink from large jars without brand on it. Teachers told me that was Indian ink but I realized that not every kind of ink is suitable for the reaction with bleach. Finally your suggestion help us to understand which ink is the best!
It is the QUINK ink from Parker Pen Company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quink
Love this technique! Never saw it used this way! Kudos!!.,