Screen Printing with Nature

In this year long course, we are going to combine nature with simple screen-printing techniques, to create beautiful items for our homes

The course is split into 6 modules, each lasting 2 months. In each module we will look at using one or more natural items (grasses, leaves, flowers etc), together with a silk screen, to create our prints. We will then complete the module by creating one or more projects using our prints. Projects will be soft items for the home, but ideas for creating wall art will also be covered. Plus, each module will have a video on mounting the real nature items for display. Learning will include:

Introduction:

• Types of natural items we can use

• Run through of plant items we will be using and techniques needed to preserve them

• Materials and supplies needed

 Module 1: Leaves

• Simple screen types, identification and preparation

• Preparation of and thickening procion dye powders for printing

• Printing with a variety of leaves

• Creating single prints on cotton, using procion dye

• Using scraping and colour blocking printing to create additional fabrics

• Batching and fixing dyes and washing cloth

• Colour theory - analogous colours

• Patchwork/collage/bond together to make bed runner, or long hanging if preferred

• Bonding prints to felt and simple stitching. Bonded binding

• Mounting real leaves for display

 Module 2: Grasses and Seedheads

• Preparing grasses and seedheads for the screen

• Masking off areas of screen to give desired long thin shapes

• Printing with a variety of grasses &/or seedheads

• Colour theory - monotone colour schemes

• Creating tints tones and shades with procion dye

• Constructing and stitching a vessel or pot cover to display dried plants, using prints and pelmet Vilene

 Module 3: Flowers

• Use hellebores and snowdrops to create layered flower prints on cotton

• Preparing the flowers for the screen

• Making simple screens from embroidery hoops/old picture frames

• Layering prints

• Using glue on the screen to create additional fabrics

• Colour theory - complimentary colour schemes

• Patchwork/collage and bond prints, together with stitch,  to create one or more cushions, or mounted wall canvas if preferred

• Mounting real grasses and seedheads for display

 Module 4: Beach Treasures

• Collecting beach treasures: which will work?

• Preparation of beach treasures, including preservation in glycerine

• Direct printing of treasures

• Preparing and printing a breakdown screen with treasures

• Colour theory - split complimentary schemes

• Combine prints to create a table runner and napkins

• Preparing and mounting real treasures for display

 Modules 5 and 6: Meadow Flowers and Grasses

• Collecting grasses and flowers from meadow and preparing for printing

• Masking areas of screen for different shaped prints

• Making prints using multiple items

• Layering colour with dyes  

• Using fabric paints with the screen

• Colour theory – accent colours

• Preparing a flour paste screen using one of our grasses as design inspiration

• Create a meadow throw using prints. Look at the option of creating and stitching in smaller elements then joining

Approx 3-4 hours of videos will be added to the group every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

The group will have an online classroom via my teaching site, and also on Facebook. You do not have to join both groups -  all videos will be available in your classroom on my website. But for those that enjoy social media, there will be a private Facebook Group for you to chat to other members and share what you are doing

Cost is £40/month If you sign up for 12 months, you will get 2 months free – so £400 for a 12 month sign up. Active (paid for) membership of the group is required to stay in the classrooms. Those who complete the year will then have unlimited access to the group and videos afterwards

The course is suitable for complete beginners, as well as more experienced artist/stitchers.

Any questions please ask me: hilarybeattie@ntlworld.com

I do hope you will join me - Hilary xx