22nd September Coating Screen And Visual Sheet

On Thursday 22nd of September, I continued to gain skills in my specialised workshop "textiles" through learning coating my screen correctly and safely. The workshop allowed me to work independently and gain the knowledge of creating a screen which will help me in the future for creating my own screen print designs. The screen is relating back to the project "Natural World" as I am going to be developing my designs and ideas to create a pattern which will be placed onto the screen to create a final outcome. My design is going to be inspired by my research and thought process throughout the project. The workshop has allowed me to apply practical skills, knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and operational context to produce creative solutions for textiles.

Previously, I collected a screen and started to strip it which allowed a new design to be placed onto the surface and ready to be used. In the workshop we continued with the process and coated the screens in a dark room in order for the outcome to work effectively. Before starting the process, we had to check to make sure screens were ready to be used and dry. Throughout the task we followed health and safety instructions to avoid the risk of dangers and injury. Firstly, we collected gloves as we were working with an emulsion which can be dangerous and stain very easily when in contact with skin. We also collected aprons to avoid the risk of staining clothes. Finally, we tied our hair back to avoid the risk of it being caught or damaged. These instructions were maintained throughout the task.

Emulsion and trough

Screen and emulsion

Firstly, we collected a trough which had to be fitted onto our screen frames correctly. This was important as the trough must be fitted correctly in order to place the emulsion evenly onto the surface. Next we placed the photo sensitive emulsion into the trough evenly by using a spatula. This process was completed in a dark environment as it would damage the emulsion if it was placed in sunlight. Then the trough was placed onto the frame with two hands and dragged along the screen through portrait angle to allow the screen to be covered evenly. As the screen reached the top excess emulsion was collected and the process was repeated to capture the uneven area. I was nervous to complete this task, as it was my screen that I would be using for my screen print design. However to solve the problem we practised previously with recycled screens to gain confidence with using the technique. Once the screen was covered, I placed the screen face up in the cupboard and left it to dry over the weekend. The outcome was effective as it allowed me gain a new skill in textiles which I will continue to use throughout the project and course. Also, the workshop was useful as it gave me the confidence to coat my screen independently which will be taken and developed further into the course. After coating our screens, I continued to develop my visual design sheet for my patterns which is inspired by my primary research. To create my visual design sheet I took elements that have inspired me from my sketchbook and moodboard and these were developed into creating my own designs. I was inspired by flowers for my first pattern which was developed from my sketchbook to my moodboard. Then I took elements from the flowers and started to create a pattern from specific parts of the design. The pattern is on display below.

Visual Sheet

Next I am going to continue to complete my visual sheet in studio practise and continue to develop further patterns and methods through textiles.