For the month of September, 2009, the MSOE challenge is 'Fractal Geometry'. Fractals are self-similar: their parts mimic (more-or-less) the whole. Some of the exotic species within this mathematical family have precise familiar shapes, like the simplest rectilinear object you could imagine, the triangle. Others have organic lines like coast lines or plants. The fern is a stereotypical example; oblong leaves with branch off of veins which in turn branch off of other veins, in a self-similar manner.
In this mono print, I am comparing and contrasting the aspect of self-similarity, by combining a lino block printed Sierpiński Triangle (the holes in which could in theory continue ad infinitum, but being human, there is a practical limit to what can be carved) and a printed fern leaf.
Then, I made some more
So, there are lots of tutorials for relief printing (search for stamp making, for instance), but I thought I'd explain how to make a leaf print. This is how I did it:
1. Get leaf and scrap paper
2. Use a silkscreen to evenly apply the ink to the leaf. This should also produce a negative image print (i.e. colour everywhere the leaf was not) on your scrap paper. If you like how this looks, you can make some screenprints this way.
{If you don't have a screen, there are tutorials here, how to make one... or you can use a brayer or ink roller. Just be sure to place something underneath your leaf, and apply the ink evenly.}
3. Remove leaf from screen and position paper on top.
4. Burnish leaf onto paper using a baren (this is a Japanese printmaking tool which looks like a flat disk with a handle - you can get them at art supply stores). Don't have a baren? You can also use a wooden spoon- just place the round spoon against the back of the paper and rub. Alternatively, some people use rolling pins, or a book press. Everybody has a rolling pin right?
This is a fun thing to do now that it is autumn (at least in the northern hemisphere).
You could layer different leaves, one on top of another.
