Saturday, September 28, 2024

Stencil Monoprint - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month we are looking back at an older technique, Stencil Monoprint.  It's an easy and fun technique that creates lovely backgrounds or main panels for cards.

Please check out the details for the technique and link to videos on the blog ...

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My first card above uses powdered inks (Brushos - Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown).  Using powdered inks or sprays allows me to make a positive (print) and negative (monoprint) from just one application of colour (see pictorial below).  I used one of my favourite stencils (Joyful Sunflower - The Crafter's Workshop), which was a gift from a sweet friend several years ago.  I'll share my print card at another time. 

Sending the above card to Just Us Girls #746 - Stencil Week.

* * * * *
For my second card, I used powdered inks again (Brushos - Lime Green, Leaf Green), along with the Wander & Find stencil (Carta Bella - retired).
I stamped the Pop Sunflower image onto mixed media paper, watercoloured using Distress Inks, fussy-cut, and popped it up over my Stencil Monoprint background.  That little bird is so sweet! :)


* * * * *
Here is a pictorial of my process of making the Stencil monoprints with powdered inks.
 
   1) Stencil on mixed media paper        2) Brushos sprinkled over stencil

 
                            3) Right card - Water misted over      4) Left card - Inky stencil flipped onto
                                 Brushos (positive print)                       second card / blotted with
                                                                                                     paper towel  (stencil monoprint)                    
 
                                  5)  Stencil removed                               6) Left to Right - 
                                       / paper left to air dry                            Stencil monoprint/ Print
                                       (finished Stencil Monoprint)             

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...
  • This is an easy technique that works with lots of different mediums, substrates, and stencils. 
  • It can be a main panel or background - so lots of flexibility
  • Use a generous amount of water so the colour spreads, especially when using powdered inks.
  • Important to remove the stencil quickly after spraying with water.  This prevents the water from spreading under the stencil and loosing definition of the design.
  • You can create several panels with one application of ink.  Repeat adding inked (wet) stencil onto card and blotting with paper towel until there isn't any colour left.  First stencil monoprint will be the strongest colours, each monoprint will be lighter in colour than the previous.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:
Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:   Brushos: Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown; Versamark
Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it), Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop); Water Mister, White embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Card #2:
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Pigment: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Brushos: Lime Green, Leaf Green; Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it),

24 comments:

Julia Aston said...

That sunflower worked wonderfully with this technique Loll - what a beautiful fall color print. A perfect design with just the black strip sentiment - nothing else is needed! I love the little robin with the colorful vase of sunflowers - your green yellow background stenciling adds to the sunny brightness! Julia xx

Darnell said...

This is such a great post with easy directions and photos, Lolly! It really is a fun technique and I love the stencils you used and the backgrounds you created! You always chose the right colors for your stenciling and the right images. I especially love the jar of sunflowers and adorable little bird over that bright green and yellow monoprint! Hugs, Dolly

I Card Everyone said...

I just love that sunflower and am so happy I finally found one to call my own, Loll! It's my favorite today but I adore the bright background you've created for your bird and blooms!
=]

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful Loll, the sunflower looks absolutely amazing, you got such great colour coverage ♥

Bobby said...

Love that glorious sunflower, Loll! Thanks for sharing that one with us at Just Us Girls. The other print works well behind the flowers and darling bird. Thanks for the tutorial.

Liz said...

Great collection of card, Loll. Looks like a really interesting technique.
Liz xx

Bonnie said...

The brushos make such a pretty print, Lolly! I never tire of seeing this sunflower! Your second background is perfect with the stamped and watercolored sunflower and sweet bird!

Pat said...

Two fabulous stencil monoprints Loll, and that sunflower is glorious, and I just adore the Lime and Leaf Green monoprint used as a background to more wonderful watercoloured sunflowers in the lovely glass jar, and the robin is so cute. x

Susan said...

Your large sunflower is just stunning - such a feast of autumn colours! The background for the second card has such an arty look to it - I love it (and the vase of flowers and the sweet bird too). I must try the stencil monoprint with brushos instead of the ink and sprays that I used for my two samples.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Two beauties with the monoprint technique, Loll - love your sunflower on card one and the wonderful background on card two!! Thanks for the process photos - those backgrounds are fabulous!!

TK said...

Wonderful, as always, your media prints are always so awesome! Love the sunflower but I really adore your sweet bird too

nancy littrell said...

Two Beautiful Monoprint Print Beauties, Lolly:-) I LOVE your monoprint sunflower and pretty bird and so appreciate your descriptions, dear friend:-) I will be adding this wonderful media prints to my future list of card designs:-) Love and Big Hugs....Nancy

Ina G said...

That sunflower is a stunner Loll. Love the bold colours on the second card and that bird os so cute. Your blending is always beautiful.

LesleyG said...

Love the cards, and thanks for sharing the steps. I’m relatively new to stencils, and wouldn’t have thought of using brushos xxx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Beautiful cards and a great technique, Thanks for the tutorials. x

Nstiz said...

I've never got such a clear print as you did with that sunflower with this technique. That is amazing and love the brilliant colors. The second card background came out beautifully and once again I bow to you for the fussy cutting since it looks wonderful against your background.

Marcia Hill said...

I'd forgotten all about this technique Loll, but it's definitely one I'll have to re-visit! Your sunflower card is GORGEOUS and uses one of my all time favorite stencils...you picked the perfect colors too! Your 2nd card with the blooms and bird is so bright and colorful and totally makes me smile too! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Robyn Oliver said...

Fabulous cards Loll, this is one fun messy technique and I really appreciate the process pics because I had a go and used way too much Brushos and so a big mess results. Enjoy your day, hugs Robyn

Bobby said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful sunflower with us at Just Us Girls.

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, such a big beautiful bloom in the autumn colors! Then one of my favorite stamp sets done up so beautifully in your watercoloring with the Brusho monoprint background. I still have some monoprints in my bag o' backgrounds, but after seeing your pictorial I'm going to try with my Magicals. I can probably manage to make quite a mess.

ElizStewart said...

Loll... Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful card and technique(!) with Just Us Girls. I checked out your website (7 cardmakers)... WOW. I can't wait to dive in... and get my Brushos out. Again thanks for the inspiration!

Nancy said...

Loll, These are two fantastic cards and I love your process picks! So nice of you to share those steps with us. The sunflower is stunning and the bird birthday card could not be prettier. I know you have inspired so many with these along with myself! Thanks for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday!

Carol said...

Beautiful use of a stencil for our Just Us Girls challenge this week! I would need an in person class to use the powdered inks, but I am game! Tanks for joining us this week. GREAT cards!

JoAnn said...

Two great cards. Love that cute bird with with vase of lovely sunflowers. Thanks for sharing with us at Seize the Birthday.