Art Lab for Kids: Giveaway and Serigraph Project



Well I'm back after a very relaxing 2 weeks at the cabin.....I was so relaxed that I didn't even manage to get a post up. 


But all good things come to an end and it's time to start getting ready for a new (whisper it now so the kids don't hear) school year!

One of the first things I need to do is order supplies which includes any new instructional books and I have a perfect one to recommend this year.

This Serigraph or silk screen project comes from it and I'll give you the "how to" in just a minute but first the book.

Art Lab for Kids by Susan Schwake is a pretty amazing little book.  I have 2 other "Lab" books and I originally thought this would just be a simplified version for kids, but this book has tons of great ideas!  There are 52 projects but Susan doesn't stop there as every project presented has a "Go Further" section with ideas for extra projects using the variations of the same technique.
Each project also has a materials list , a large photo of the finished project, 2-5 pictures of the process and step by step instructions.  Susan also includes an artist bio as each project is inspired by by the work of a contemporary artist.

Almost ever project is paper based so no need for special materials. I think it's a great addition to any art program.

Here are the details

There are 6 chapters:

- How to use this book

- Drawing

- Painting

- Printmaking

- Paper

- and Mixed Media

- Soft cover

- 144 pgs, 275 illustrations

- suggested retail is $24.99 CAN and $22.95 US

If you would like to win your own copy check out the details at the end of this post.

Now onto the silk screening project which is based on the project in the book.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- embroidery hoop

- gauze like material

- scissors

- mod podge or screen filler, water resistant glue will also work

- fine paint brush

- paper and pencil

- acrylic paint or liquid tempera

- paper or fabric to print your design on

PROCEDURE:



You need an embroidery hoop, plastic or wood.  The plastic ones are more durable but cost more.

You can use screen filler, Mod Podge, on water resistant glue.  For this project I'm using Mod Podge.



Before you start you want to practice making your design.  Take the inner hoop and place on some paper, trace out from the inside with pencil.

Sketch out a design.

Insert your gauze like material. Make sure it is taut. I buy what is on sale and it doesn't need to be silk. I find some great material in the drapery section for this.

Trim away the excess.

Place your hoop with the gauze fabric down on top of your sketch.  The fabric is directly on the paper. You can see the design thru the fabric.  Go over your lines with pencil right on the fabric.

Turn over the hoop so the fabric side is facing up.  With a small brush and a little Mod Podge start painting in all the areas and detail that you want to stay white.



Let dry.

When dry place the hoop onto the paper or fabric you want to print on. If you are printing onto fabric use acrylic paint.

 You want the fabric touching the paper.  I'm using acrylic paint.

Holding the hoop down with one hand, you don't want it to shift, paint over the gauze.

Carefully lift off the hoop and you can see your print.

Before the paint dries on the screen wash gently with water. No hard scrubbing.

Let the screen air dry fully, don't blot with a towel as you might disturb the design. You now can use your screen again with another color.







That's it.

So onto the giveaway.  If you are interested in winning a copy of "Art Lab for Kids" by Susan Schwake you need to do one of the following:

- comment on this post

- visit my Facebook page and comment or like this post link

- or send me an email at thatartistwoman@shaw.ca

Get your entry in by 11:59pm Thursday night and I will make the draw Friday Aug 24/12. Canadian and US entries only.

Good luck everyone and thanks Quarry Books for sponsoring this giveaway!