Dorothy Yuki - Botanical Printing
We will delve into the world of botanical printing. Instead of using paints from tubes or jars, you can create beautiful pieces on paper and cloth with the natural leaves, flowers, roots or fruits of nature. With papers printed, you can make backgrounds for your calligraphy. If time permits, we will also make inks to use for your calligraphy. We will print each day. While we wait to cook our stews, I will show you how to use your pieces you have produced to make cards, books, and other things. This workshop will give you enough information to begin your journey into the alchemy of nature.
Class Level: All are welcome.
Supply List:
Pre-workshop; Please read through now, so you can be prepared.
Papers will be supplied,, you will receive sheets of Aches text wove, Schut watercolor paper, Kraftex and various other papers. If there are any papers you want to try, please bring. (failed watercolors, you don’t mind tearing and using to print, come out great, sheet music, old book pages etc..)
If anyone has 1.5” diameter X 12” copper or stainless steel pipe, please bring, although I do have enough to share. Please save dry onion skins, red or yellow and bring to class. I would like to have 2 craft irons so I don’t have to bring mine (car is full). Please let me know if you can bring one.
If you have a clothes drying rack, I have a few to dry our wet papers…best to have metal or plastic rungs, so they can be wiped clean after use, please let me know if you have one to bring.
If you have any particular plant you want to try to print, be sure it can be flattened when printing or flatten them in between old books or newspapers, that can absorb the moisture, a minimum of a week before class. Make sure to turn plant after a few days so they don’t stick to the paper. They can be rehydrated before using, so it can be brought to class dry. You can also freeze fresh leaves in plastic bags and bring it to class while it is defrosting. Fresh pliable plants are best. You don’t need a lot. It is surprising how little is used for printing a full sheet of paper. If you are traveling from out of state, please do not bring.
I will be bringing some plants to share. Here is a list that print well that you could bring; Smoke bush leaves, coreopsis- flowers and leaves, Eucalyptus (especially dollar and others, not all, also print), Japanese maple, gum leaves, Sumac (if anyone finds this, it is one of the sure prints, do not get the poisonous one), geranium leaves and flowers, African daisies, rose leaves and dark rose petals, ironwood leaves, plum leaves, marigolds, dark blue hydrangea flower and leaves. As we experiment, the printing depends on the time the plant matter has been picked, so bring any that you find you want to try. Grasses also can be coaxed to print. Some leaves, gingko and magnolia, usually don’t print on their own but, leave a negative imprint that is really nice.
Basic material list:
- Wear old clothes that you don’t mind staining …I have an apron for you.
- Good pair of rubber gloves that fit well or you will end up with brown fingers and nails. A pair a day is good.
- Pencil with small notebook
- Bone folder
- Cutting mat
- Xacto
- Scissors
- Metal and plastic grid ruler
- Fine awl
- Embosser- fine to medium
- Viva paper towels – no embossing
- Clip board
OPTIONAL:
- Dip pens of your choice; pointed, broad or folded
- Pen white ink or Dr. Martins Bleed proof
- Micron 1
- Sumi ink
- Walnut ink
- Double stick tape
- PVA glue or Nori glue
- Baby wipes
Please make sure to ID all your tools. Return mail address labels are easy to use.
Material fee $30. Check or cash directly to Dorothy.
Any questions – email dotyuki@gmail.com