Printmaking Unleashed by Traci Bautista

I absolutely adore Traci Bautista. I love her energy and her art, she never fails to inspire me. A few months ago, she asked if I would be willing to help spread the word about her newest book, "Printmaking Unleashed." Oh my, you need this book. It is overflowing with techniques and mixed media inspiration. I have a love of all things printmaking, and this book had some techniques I have never tried. Woo hoo!

Traci sent me a printmaking kit to go along with the book. I thought I'd show you what I did with a couple of the goodies from the kit. One of the great things about Traci's book is it shows you many ideas for printing with common materials.

First, I chose a couple of pages to work on in my journal.

Here's a Dina-thing...I NEVER do a an art journal page from start to finish in a sitting. I work in an organic way, experimenting with backgrounds, wiping extra paint on pages, blotting ink on pages, etc. When I go to work on a page, I usually have something there already...color, texture. So, for this I chose two pages in my journal that had some color and texture. The page below had some ink pressed, as well as painted layers. There's even a partial drawing at the top (I was demoing something in class and used that page to scribble what I was talking about).

I forgot to get a "before" picture of the second page I chose...I was too distracted by the awesome stuff in Traci's printmaking kit. Oopsie! From her kit, I chose a great piece of plastic with a circular pattern.

I have been experimenting with paint sprays. What I do is take an empty mister bottle, and squeeze in some paint (I am of course using my Dina Wakley Media paints by Ranger). Then I add about the same amount of water and shake well. That way I have an opaque paint spray that is permanent.

I sprayed over the plastic with my white paint spray.

Then I picked up the plastic, flipped it over, and printed it onto my second page a couple of times.

Ohhhhh deliciousness!

See how the print in a neutral color (white) helps tie together the disparate background elements?

Next I sprayed pink paint spray over some mesh and then flipped it and printed it on my second page. I love working like this...I end up with TWO pages with just a small amount of effort.

Last, I used the circular plastic canvas and Turquoise paint spray.

Here are the two backgrounds. The first is stenciled...the second is printed. Two for one!

On the stenciled background, I added a stamped woman from my Face in the Crowd stamp set. Notice her hair...I love to change the hairdos on my stamped women.

On the printed page, I drew a woman and added some journaling.

I can't wait to use more of the goodies from Traci's kit and practice the techniques in her book. Happy printing!

 

Comments

[Brenda]

Hi dina, so glad you're back. Sorry to hear that your son has been in the hospital. I hope he is making improvements each day forward.
I have had your new book and Traci's out from the library. I Keep Renewing them! So many ideas to try.

[Barbara Albrecht]

Thanks for the tutorial. I didn't even think about making sprays out of your paints. You can bet I'm going to give it a try. Love the face on the "printed" page!

I have a question about the paint sprays...do you have to do anything special to keep the mister from clogging since you're using paint in it?

Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas!!

[Ange B]

Your journal pages look awesome Dina! I'm like you when it comes to finishing something in one sitting, I like to do things in bits and pieces then come back to it later with a new perspective. Is Traci's kit available to buy? Thanks :-)

[Caatje]

Lovely play! I love Traci's other books and this one is on the top of my wishlist.

[Sue W.]

Love both of your pages! I'm gonna have to try making your paints into mistables! Is that even a woid?!

[GISELE]

YUM!!!!

[Leslie]

Ok I have been going to buy her book...now I am for sure. Like right now:) And her doodles unleashed. Merry Christmas to me!!!

[Leslie]

I bought it and Doodles Unleashed and finally a black Stabilo pencil!! Merry Christmas:)

[Barbara L]

I have your books and am excited to try the sprays. Never thought about making sprays from your acrylics. Yay!

[Traci Bautista]

Dina... LOVE LOVE the pages and backgrounds you created!!thanks so much for helping me celebrate Printmaking Unleashed! Xoxo Traci

[Linda K]

LOVE what you have done with your art and Traci's inspiration Dina!! I actually made a Traci inspired page and turned it into this year's Christmas postcard (on my latest blog post).This book is on my wish list as I have her other two and refer to them for inspiration quite often. And speaking of, the main reason I came by.. I treated myself to your new book and although I haven't had time other than to skim through it so far- I absolutely LOVE it and just can't wait for some time to delve into it and play!! Thank you!

[Kelli Rootes]

How funny, I just received Traci's book and your book in the post this week! I've had a quick flick through and they are both great!I can't wait to have a good look:) I love what you've done with your pages and love, love your work!

[Sheila B.]

I love these demos, can't wait to try out the paint mister idea. I got your book for Christmas, now I'll have to go out and buy Traci's!

[Jeannette van D.]

Absolutely LOVE it !! Such fibrant colours ! They make me happy just looking at them :)