29th September Creating Screen-Print Templates

On Thursday 29th of September, I continued to develop my skills and knowledge of my specialised workshop "Textiles". We started to develop the technique of creating outlines and designs for screen prints which will be used for our samples and experimentation. The screen print process involves drawing a design onto tracing paper which will then be transferred onto our screens which we have prepared previously in the workshop. For the task, we used paper to practise the technique for our first attempt to gain the knowledge of the process. The workshop allowed us to apply practical skills, knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and context of textiles to produce creative outcomes. Also, the task allowed me to select appropriate materials to develop creative solutions for the specialised workshop "Textiles". Finally, the workshop allowed me to gain the knowledge and confidence to use the technique which will be developed into my experimentation and samples of my final design.

To start the workshop, we were given A3 paper and the task to create a perfect square. This was an essential part of the task, as the method wouldn’t work successfully if the measurements were incorrect. To complete the task, I used my mathematic knowledge and measured the size portrait which was then transferred landscape to create the shape. This was taken to the paper-cutter where I practised to cut the paper accurately to achieve my measurement. However, a problem I faced with using the machine was that it the measurement became incorrect which would impact my design and how successful it would work. To solve the problem, I used a craft knife to remove the incorrect measurement which made the square perfect. Next, I drew a line in the middle of the square and started to build a design towards the top and bottom of the page. This was created to allow a pattern to form but also to avoid damaging the process. My pattern was inspired by my developed visual sheet which was patterns as I could capture a simple design to help me understand the process of screen tracing. Also, for my design, the pieces at the top of the page must be connected below to create a successful even, repeated print. The sides of the perfect square were left blank to allow the process to work correctly, as I would be connecting the pieces together to create a repeated print. I was happy with the outcome of my design as it was a simple layout which related to my thought process and development of the theme “Natural World”. The simple layout was useful to gain experience and knowledge of the next step of the process.

Outline of my pattern which connects from the top of the design towards the bottom.

Outline for cutting the repeated screen print outline.

The removed cutting outline was connected on the opposite side of the page to allow to create a repeated screen outcome.

The final outcome of the layout which includes a cross-hatch effect that can be included on the designs.

I collected a black permanent marker pen and started to draw part of an outline on the side of the page which identified how the square will connect together to create a repeated screen. Paper on the outside of the pen marking was removed to create the jigsaw piece outcome which would create a repeated screen. I found completing this task difficult as It was difficult to cut accurately and neatly the outside the line in order for both pieces to connect together accurately. To improve next time, I will learn from my mistakes of cutting the outline and use my development of the skill to be put towards my final design idea. I will take the skills and knowledge I have gained towards my experimentation and final layout of my screen-printing which will use the same process.