Workshop Fun

Stamping and Stenciling

You don't have to purchase art store stamping and stenciling tools to get good results when making hand-painted collage papers. Sometimes the best tools are found in where you least expect them. The flower pattern that I have stamped over deli paper and Mother Goose book pages in this photo, is actually a silicone sink linter mat that I purchased at Lowes. I love this so much for stamping that I have gone back and purchased several more so that I can have one in my workshop supplies box as well as in my studio! 

The pink paper nursery rhyme sheet was coated with Quin. Magenta and then stamped with Red Oxide while it was still wet, offering a soft edged, watery effect on the flower patter. The deli paper was coated with Quin. Nickel Azo Gold and allowed to dry completely before stamping over with Burnt Umber, you can see that the dry method gives a much more defined stamp effect on the edges of the flowers. 

A paper doily coated with gesso makes a wonderful stencil. You can see the doily above has been used to both stamp and stencil many colors. A coating of gesso will help this fragile paper stand up to the test of being used over and over again. 

Think outside the box. Think big. Look around your kitchen for interesting texture tools, as well as your garage. You'll never look at the isles of Lowe's or Home Depot the same again!