Day 4 Eco Printing Retreat in the UP

 Today I slowed down a bit and became more adventurous. I decided to try printing some waterlilies. I used copper sulfate as the modifier and was pleasantly surprised to find that it made a good print of greens and some purples from the tendrils. 

Day 3 Eco Printing Retreat in the UP

I decided to double down on the Tickseed today because I get consistently good prints from them. I used a different brand of watercolor paper and the results were the same. I sandwiched the botanical between two pieces of paper to get a print of both sides. I also tried some purple Balloon Flowers aka Japanese Bell Flowers, which yielded some interesting blues. Used copper sulfate as modifier. I tried printing a variety of roses and the China Rose made a very successful image.

 

Day 2 Eco Printing Retreat in the UP

Getting some exciting results using copper sulfate modifier on Ninebark leaves and a little yellow wildflower called Threadleaf Coreopsis aka Tickseed. There have been a few duds with colorful botanicals that I expected more from but having prints like these make all the hardwork worth it. I'm becoming feral as you can see from my wild hair which is two weeks past due a trim.

 

Day 1 Eco Printing Retreat in the Upper Peninsula Michigan

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan doing an Eco Printing Retreat. The weather is such a refreshing change to the oppressive heat of Fayetteville, NC. Wildflowers and tree varieties are plentiful and I have a secluded nook to create in with a lovely view of the lake. I'm using several different watercolor papers as substraits, alum acetate as mordant, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and yellow oxide as modifiers. I'm also trying out a new heat source for steaming - a propane tank with camp stove.