Cutting Stencils and Printing

My public library has a really cool resource. They have a library of things and in that library there is a CriCut Explore Air 2. I borrowed this device so I could try cutting some stencils. It is working well and I have cut several stencils. I started out trying to cut stencils from card stock. Unfortunately, they are just a little flimsy for printing on a gelatin plate. I remembered that I had some synthetic paper called YUPO. The Yupo makes a perfect stencil. It is thin enough for the Gelli plate while being sturdy enough that it doesn't tear or move around while you're using it. I even used to piece that I had painted on and was unhappy with to cut stencils. 

You should know that this is going to be very photo heavy. First, I will show you some stencils I cut.

Wavy lines interspersed with dots and shapes.

Wavy lines in a row

I don't know what to call this one. 

Ladders/building windows

More wavy lines and "stuff"

Circles

Wavy lines, circles and a missing ladder.

Here is an odd swirl shape and the missing ladder

The missing ladder was part of the learning curve.

I cut this out of pink card stock.  I used that green section in one of my prints

Honestly this is too fine and flimsy to work well. 

Again, part of the learning curve

I created drawings for the stencils on my iPad in Procreate. 

Then I send the file (jpeg) to my computer. From there it goes to the Cricut software. 

I delete the background white from the drawing there. 

Then the machine cuts the design and I am left with a stencil which is actually the background.

I also get the shapes that are cut out.  Those can be tossed out or used as masks when printing

 on the gelatine plate. I will say for me, it depends on the size and if I think I will use it. 

So here are a bunch of my more successful prints. 

As a gelli print, this is a failure.  For me - well, I love it. This was an attempt to print on

the Yupo paper that I used for cutting stencils. I have painted on this paper in the past, so

I know it takes paint well.  The problem is that it doesn't absorb the moisture and dry. 

Thus, when I pulled the print, lots of paint was left on the plate.

Which leads up to this print

This is what was left on the plate.  I printed it on newsprint so it isn't as white in the unpainted areas.

I like it and think I will use it in a collage.

Printed on deli paper using the "ghost print" from part of a stencil

I took weaving thread/yarn and laid it into the paint on the plate and pulled a print. 

Above is the ghost print from the previous string print. 

I will likely add more color to this - but maybe I should leave it neutral for collage

Decisions, decisions.

This is on tracing paper that is very similar to deli paper. 

I think this was string also, but I am not sure. 
I printed the black on the front of the paper.  Later, I added color

to the back because I wanted to try it. 

Left side - using string (ghost print)  Right side - ghost print from a stencil

All those lovely circles. Hmm... I know I printed the black first then used transparent

paints and printed the colors over the black.

One of my FAVORITES. I put the cream paint on the plate, then the stencil. I pulled the print.  

THEN the ghost print was pulled over a field of blue, purple, red that I had previously printed. 

I just find this one so satisfying.

At some point I need to use some of these papers to create collage. But that last one, I 

don't think I can cut it up.  It could just get mounted on a canvas - as is!

Linking to Sunday in the Art Room

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

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