|
This
decorative technique is simple and effective. It depends on
direct light from the sun or a bright artificial light to
fix the colour in the exposed areas - leaving the dye to vanish
from the shaded areas!
Enjoy sitting in the sun waiting for the magical reversed-print
transformation, your children will love it too. For best results,
use Pébéo
Setacolor Soleil fabric paints which work effectively
for this method.
Here's how to create Heliographic Prints
-
Brush colours onto the dampened fabric in a 'wet-on-wet'
technique, flowing and blending together giving soft colour
movement.
-
The
wet painted fabric can be stretched or folded into creases
and covered with objects or stencil cut-outs. The items on
it should be in close contact, to ensure good clear shadows.
If outside, the wind could disturb the patterning so use
weights if necessary.
-
Leaves and light paper objects give wonderful effects,
but must be sufficiently in contact with the fabric; experiment
first to establish your technique. Salt effects can also
be used.
-
Heat set the finished design with an iron on the reverse
side for 3-5 minutes on a cotton setting.
The example to the right was achieved by first spraying
the fabric with water and washing
the two colours across the fabric. Stencils (in this case
pieces from a child’s construction toy) were put in
place and the fabric was left in the sun to react. Take care
when using three dimensional stencils as they will cast shadows
which will effect the final ‘print’.
The example to the left was achieved by splashing the fabric
haphazardly with two colours. The wavy paper stencil shapes
were then placed over the fabric while the paint was still
wet.
Experiment with feathers, shells, nuts and bolts, gloves,
cutlery, leaves and more.
Cyanotype Blueprinting
Another type of heliographic printing is
cyanotype or blue printing. With this technique, you can
create stunning photograms on fabrics and paper.
Browse for
light sensitive printing products
|