Here are 25 printmaking ideas and tools you'll find around the house that will get you creating unique marks in no time!
- plastic freezer bags - these are perfect for cutting out shapes to create painting masks for using with spray inks or use as a printing plate.
- cardboard - there are so many ways to use cardboard as a printing tool but my fave is to cut it into strips and roll it into shapes to create a cardboard stamp
- strawberry/tomato basket - cut it apart to use as a stencil with rectangle and arrow shapes
- spatulas - make great paint scrapers, dip them into paint and spread them across the canvas
- toothpicks and popsicle sticks - use them as lettering tools, paint sticks, stamps and stencils.
- chopsticks - use them as bases for handmade paintbrushes or dip them into india ink, then draw on paper or write words. TIP: dip the stick often to keep it loaded with ink.
- dry grass - use it as a mark-making tool. tie a bunch to the top of chopsticks, wrap with yarn or fabric and secure with rubber bands to create a handmade paint brush
- brown paper bags - recycle your grocery bags, cut them apart to use them as paper for your paintings. make an art journal with paperbags as the pages. paint or stamp them with gesso then
- labels - use them as masks to resist paints. place them onto the painting surface. spray inks or paint acrylics, let the paint dry then remove the label. use the painted discarded labels as stickers for your art journal or DIY planner pages.
- masking tape - also great to tear and attach to plexiglas to use as a removable resist. place the torn masking tape around the surface of the printing plate, roll out Golden Open acrylics, place apiece of paper and roll a brayer over the back to transfer the print. continue to build layers of color
- rubber bands - attach them to adhesive craft foam to create a stamp or drop them onto the surface of or substrate to use as a mask then spray with inks.
- yarn/twine - crochet single chains of yarn, braid the year, or weave it into woven fabric, or sew it onto cardboard to create a printing tool
- plastic water bottles - dip the bottom and top of the bottle into paint {fluid paint works best} then stamp it onto the page
- rocks, pods, acorns - use them to inspire your drawing. dip them into paint and use them to make marks on the canvas
- leaves - use as inspiration for drawing shapes in your journal or creating hot glue stencils. paint them with watered down acrylic or liquid watercolor then place them between two sheets of paper to create a print
- USPS or FedEx tyvec envelopes - these are FREE at the post office in the US, perfect for painting, creating stencils and masks or altered paper using a heat gun{make sure you have adequate ventilation. place cut shapes onto a piece of plexiglas or gel plate to use a printing mask.
- sharpie pen cap or marker - makes a perfect tool for creating dots, dip the end of the pen/marker into paint and dot the color onto the page
- paper clips - clip them together to create a chain and place it on the page to use as a stencil or stamp. create new shapes with the paper clips then paint with them
- zip ties - connect zip or cable ties together to create free form stencils.
- wire - twist wire into various shapes to use it as a stencil or place wire shapes over the page and spray with inks
- broom - makes a great HUGE paint brush. pour paint out onto a garbage bag and dip the broom brush into the paint and paint grocery bags
- garbage bags - use as a palette to mix paint, printmaking plate or tarp to cover your surface
- toilet paper rolls - this is a popular found tool, cut the empty paper tube into smaller shapes and attach it to adhesive foam or glue it to cardboard. or dip the end of the tube into paint and stamp circles
- paper towels - if you’ve followed my art since the beginning, you’ll know that in my first book Collage Unleashed, I teach how to creatively die paper towels that creates beautiful collage paper. The dyed paper towels can also be used as a printing tool.
- textured cement or garden stones - place a piece of paper and grab a pencil or crayon to take a rubbing. use this as a collage paper
- {BONUS} hot glue - create hot glue stencils/masks and stamps. this tutorial took the internet by storm, its been pinned over 22,000 times, inspired a number of youtube videos and numerous blog posts.
spend time wondering and asking “what if…” or saying “let me try..” this will train you to think outside of the box and look at things differently.
Take a walk around your house or studio, look through drawers, on shelves in the garage or outside in your yard to find objects with interesting shapes or textures to use in your artwork.
what other printmaking tools can you find around your house, studio or garage?
share your faves in the comments. I’d love to hear!
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Does this list spark NEW ideas or encourage you to drop everything and get painting? I hope so! If you want to learn unconventional ways to make these tools and use them in your mixed media creations...
SPEND your SUMMER printmaking and painting…join me for the LIVE e-course session!
I’m opening up my Printmaking Unleashed LIVE e-course for a summer session and I will be hosting two live stream events. Spend the summer taking a deep dive into unconventional printmaking that doesn’t require a press!
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here's a video preview of the workshop...
{if you are viewing this in RSS feed, visit the blog post to watch the video}
Learn over 65 techniques in numerous technique and project HD videos from techniques in my book Printmaking Unleashed. The e-course provides you with inspiring exercises that will lead to hours of colorful PLAY or minutes if you just have a few. It will infuse bursts of creativity into your art making sessions.
- videos are broken down into short segments that provide quick tips and ideas to incorporate handmade tools and innovative ways to apply color onto your canvas.
- my online workshops provide a mix of content including HD step-by-step videos, creative prompts, tips/ideas, art journaling + collage PDF workbooks, idea remix challenges, color palette ideas, creative business tips, and photo tutorials.
- explore ways to use everyday items you have around your house like plastic freezer bags, hot glue, foam and cardboard to create layered mixed media prints.
- avoid feeling isolated in your studio, come PLAY in a live stream google hangout, where you’ll meet artists from around the globe.
- SUMMER session live stream event #1 in July, during the live Q & A google hangout you can ask questions about supplies, the workshop, techniques.
- SUMMER session live stream event #1 in August, I'll share a brand new collage project during the live stream that will use all the painted papers you create.
- if you can't make the live events, there will be a replay available for self-guided access
If you are already a member of the Printmaking Unleashed LIVE BUNDLE e-course class, you will have access to the two NEW live stream events. It’s a great time for a mixed media refresher!
The e-course is filled with 65+ lessons and live stream event replays that you can work through at your own pace.
join me for TWO LIVE stream events...
SUMMER 2015 live stream session #1
google hangout Q & A ~ self guided replay available
SUMMER 2015 live stream session #2
collage live stream workshop ~ self guided replay available
join me for a creative summer of colorful PLAY!!
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printmaking unleashed LIVE e-course summer session
