There were a few questions about the solar plate print process so here is a very quick rundown...
First you make a transparency ( you can photocopy onto a transparency or draw/paint directly onto one. Anything can be photocopied- photos, drawings, collages, found objects....)
The transparency is placed onto the solar plate(coated with a light sensitive polymer which is water soluble) and exposed in the sun or under a UV light source. The UV light penetrates the clear areas and hardens the polymer coating, the opaque areas remain water soluble.
The plate is developed by washing and scrubbing in a water bath, then dried.
The plate now has the design etched into it- you then ink it up and wipe the surface to create an intaglio print or roll ink on to the surface to create a relief print. There are all sorts of ways to ink up and rub back using different colours. The plate and print paper is then rolled through a print press to make the final print. Often a second ( or even third) 'ghost ' print can be made from the one inking of the plate.
This print was made from this watercolour I did for Illustration Friday....
I also made a collage using postage stamp images, a black and white photograph, sheet music and some bits of vintage book end papers. Below is the original collage...
and here are two prints...
The top one is one colour ( my favourite Payne's grey) and the bottom one a mix of a few different colours applied using the a la poupee method.
I'm going to frame a few of the prints that I made for Christmas gifts...I also think a few print supplies might be on my wish list for this year.....
Speaking of Christmas, I was lucky enough to be given a whole heap of used postage stamps from my very generous Aunty .Knowing my passion for such things, she is always on the lookout and hit the jackpot at a friend's garage sale. I always put some stamps into my mostly old paper packs as well as save some special ones for my own use ( that's where the lovely tree and the small bird image in the above collage came from). I thought it might be fun to share a bit of stamp goodness around so I have made up five small packets of stamps - if you think you could find a use for them just leave a comment and I will draw out five names on Sunday night.
I recently started collecting used stamps and other material for collages. I was inspired by your SmallPeople. :) So throw my name in the hat -- I'd love to boost my fledging collection.
Posted by: Alisha | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 01:49 AM
Thanks for explaining the method. And I adore your prints - the fish one is especially stunning and I can imagine it in a number of different colours including a bright red :-)
Posted by: Jhoanna | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 09:22 AM
Ooo - they sound like a treat! Please count me in ;-)
Posted by: Tamara | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 05:16 PM
Thanks to your Old Paper Packs, I can't get enough paper and have started collaging in every spare minute I have. And it's my birthday :)
Posted by: Melissa | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 08:57 PM
LOVE old stamps .......
and love your blog!! x
Posted by: +marzipan+ | Friday, 30 November 2007 at 04:31 AM
I love using old stamps... and the solar plate print is something I'd like to try! Thanks for the info! Jamie V
Posted by: Jamie V | Friday, 30 November 2007 at 04:42 AM
Damp the stamp and tamp it down.
On a lamp, on a ramp, or even on your brother's amp.
Posted by: Toña | Friday, 30 November 2007 at 05:14 AM
:) how lovely!
Posted by: Zelia | Friday, 30 November 2007 at 08:09 PM
Your prints are lovely! They will make for beautiful Christmas presents. No need to put me in the stamp draw. I have a box full of neglected stamps and matchbox labels waiting to be used.
Posted by: Shireen | Saturday, 01 December 2007 at 04:15 PM
marianne- i am in love with these prints- how clever are you? the grey is my favourite, too- thank you for explaining the process for us- i am off to read more!
Posted by: melissa | Sunday, 02 December 2007 at 10:08 AM
I am always in awe of your beautiful work!
Posted by: Jenny | Sunday, 02 December 2007 at 10:14 PM
These are just beautiful Marianne!! You talents are endless. The top one is my favourite too. xxx
Posted by: julie | Monday, 03 December 2007 at 02:43 AM
looks like fun, I really like the prints!
Posted by: Hanna | Tuesday, 04 December 2007 at 08:09 AM
The prints look great and the making sounds so interesting! I would love to try something like that.
I've had a real thing for grey for the last about 12 months, and I don't see that changing any time soon!
Count me in for the lovely stamps :)
Posted by: Belinda | Tuesday, 04 December 2007 at 09:39 PM
Marianne, those are wonderful and thanks for the detailed description!!
Posted by: Uschi | Wednesday, 05 December 2007 at 11:18 PM
Your prints are beautiful! I have heard of solar plate prints, would love to give it a go one day.
Posted by: cruststation | Thursday, 06 December 2007 at 12:14 AM
i somehow missed this post - what an interesting process....
did you do a class?
Posted by: Anastasia | Monday, 10 December 2007 at 03:01 PM