ART 204

 TEXTILE PRINTING I

Thursday 6:00-8:45 P.M.

Syllabus

 

 

Barbara Patten Starr                                                            Fall 2004

E-mail: bstarr@sch.edu                                                       Office: 380-3856

Web Address: http://faculty.shc.edu/bstarr                       Art Department: 380-3855

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed to acquaint the student with various methods of silk-screening on fabric surfaces.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

            1.   To experience the personal satisfaction of creating art.

            2.  To experience the creative process.

            3.  To learn various methods of screen resist and registration.

                 

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

 

In Class

Assignment

 

8/26 

 

Introduction / Strip screens / re-stretch / wash

 

 

Buy materials

Finish screens

9/2

Color Theory / Demonstration of cloth stretching

Prepare paper stencils

 

Demonstrate taping screen / Mix Colors

Be ready to print

 

Demonstrate and practice printing

 

Finish taping screen

9/9

Introduce Contac paper problem

Prepare sketches

 

Print paper stencil

Finish printing

 

 

 

9/16

Finalize and draft design / Cut stencils

Finish stencil

 

 

 

9/23

Adhere stencil / Prepare cloth and ink for printing

Finish preparations for printing

 

 

 

9/30

Print Contac stencil

Reflection paper

 

 

 

10/7

Reflection Papers Due / Print

Finish Contac stencil print

 

 

 

10/14

Critique

Be ready to print wax

 

Explore wax stencil

 

 

 

 

 

10/21

 

Introduce lacquer film

Print wax stencil

 

Prepare sketches

 

                                                    

 

 

 

10/28

Prepare color separations

Finalize  Draft

 

Finalize draft

 

 

 

 

11/4

Cut and adhere film

Be prepared to print

 

Mix colors, prepare cloth

 

 

 

 

11/11

Print

 

 

 

 

11/18

Print

 

 

 

 

12/2

Reflection Papers Due

 

 

Final Critique

 

 

Clean up

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

CLASS ATTENDANCE: The learning in this class is experiential; therefore, regular class attendance and active participation are required.  Each class covers a week’s worth of material.  Because no text is available, everything you will do this semester will be taught in class.  You have to be here to learn it; therefore, a maximum of 2 absences, for whatever reason, including ordinary illness, will be permitted; a student may be withdrawn after that point.  Excessive absence may also result in the downward adjustment of the grade.  Student athletes are required to be present for all classes except when engaged in official athletic events; those who may be scheduled to miss more than 1 class should see the professor at the beginning of the semester. Most lecture/demonstration is done at the beginning of class, and interruptions are distracting and annoying.  Therefore, punctuality is also expected.  Students who come to class after roll has been called, or who come unprepared for class, may be considered absent.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:  Because of the limited amount of time and the large amount of material to be covered, most sketching and designing for individual projects will be done outside of class.  Due dates for sketches will be established, and heavy weight will be placed on students' preparedness for class, as well as written or sketching assignments.  On the date that each project is due, both a Process Evaluation Sheet and a Student Evaluation Sheet will be collected as well as all preliminary drawings.  These will be checked and returned.  Because reflection is an important part of learning, these sheets will be considered an important part of the final grade.  If you have attempted something new and different and the result is not what you wanted, this is a chance to figure out why, and what to do differently next time, and that is as important as a successful piece.

 

All work should be saved and resubmitted at the end of the semester for review and to be photographed for the slide collection.  There will be no written final examination during the exam period

 

-3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING POLICY:

 

60% -The quality of the final product, using the criteria on the evaluation sheet.  Greater weight will be placed on the more complex projects toward the end of the semester.

 

30% - Participation.  This includes prompt regular attendance, and the amount of time and effort expended, both inside and outside of class.  In this course, practice improves performance, so credit is given to those who practice; an additional two to four hours a week is a good goal.  Also included are preparedness for class, positive creative attitude, ability to follow directions and to work independently, self-motivation, growth in ability and skills, care for facilities and materials.

 

10% - Written work, including sketches, evaluations, Reflection Papers, etc.

 

Should an assignment be handed in late, it will lose one letter grade for each day late.

 

CARE AND CLEAN-UP OF STUDIO

 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE THAT THE WORKSPACE AND SUPPLIES BE KEPT IN ORDER.  EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO CLEAN HIS/HER OWN WORKING SPACE AND PARTICIPATE IN GENERAL CLEAN UP.  THIS IS PART OF YOUR GRADE.

 

TABLES:  Plastic is to protect the tables.  Use newspaper to avoid dripping on it.  Wipe up all spills and rinse sponges.  NEVER USE THE PRINT TABLE FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE (ESPECIALLY WAX).  It is to be kept immaculate.

 

SINK:        Counters and sink should be clean and clear.  Do not leave tools or brushes in this area.  Dry and return to storage.

 

CABINETS:  Should be locked when not in use.  Appliances and cords should be         

                    stored inside.  Please be orderly.

 

PAINT:      Once you are able to gauge the amount of paint you need, mix only that amount.  Remember it is expensive.  Label each of your paints with your name.  When finished, remove your name and tape a small fabric color swatch to the carton and close tightly.  Look for leftovers you can use.

 

                                                            

SECURITY

 

BEFORE LEAVING THE STUDIO, ALWAYS BE SURE THAT ALL SKILLETS, IRONS, ETC. ARE UNPLUGGED. Sign up on sign up sheet when working outside of class.

 

 

-4-

 

 

 

MATERIALS LIST

 

To be provided in class (these items are covered by the lab fee)

 

 

Screen and screen fabric (10XX)

Contac paper

Fabric paint

Lacquer film

Extender

Solvent

Printing table

Acetate

Hose and washout facility

Screen fabric

Iron

Photo emulsion

Ironing board

Black plastic bags

Light table

Clorox

Extension cord

Cotton balls

Graph paper

Staple guns and staples

Solvent proof tape

Tracing paper

 

 

To be provided by the student:

 

 

Sponge (yellow or white preferred)

Masking tape-1” roll, 2” roll

Rubber spatula

Sturdy dark thread for registration

Soft drawing pencil or pen (fine  point)

Scissors

Old newspapers

Sketch book

Sewing pins (T pins preferred

Empty containers with lids (yogurt, etc.)

Padlock (if desired)

Stencil knife (Xacto #1)

Embroidery hoop (8" or so)

Tape measure

Fabric (may buy from instructor)

Assorted brushes

Egg carton (optional)

Old sheets (optional

Paper towels

Q tips

Toilet tissue (optional)

Squeegee

Waxed paper (optional)

Plastic spoons

 

Drop cloth-

3 yds. polyester double knit (sometimes called pontee) in a neutral color

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

-5-
 
 ASSIGNMENTS
 
Note Re Image Finding:  Image-finding assignments are given for each problem in order to help you quickly get into the assignment.  Each drawing assignment will be critiqued, collected and graded.  In the interests of your own progress, make a real effort to have drawing assignments ready for critique.  THESE DESIGNS ARE THE BASIS OF ALL THE TEXTILE PRINTS DONE IN THE CLASS.

 

 

 

 

 

PROBLEM I - CUT PAPER STENCIL

 

IMAGE FINDING ASSIGNMENT:  Develop 3 simple but related shapes. 

They may be geometrics, or may represent a theme (landscape, sailing, etc.)  Try to tear or cut them directly from paper rather than carefully drawing them out in advance.  They should fit well within the edges of your embroidery hoop.  Print them randomly, overlapping or not, as you choose.  Use 3 colors, all of which have one color in common.  (i.e. all shades of blue, or blues,greens,violets, etc.)

 

 

PROBLEM II - CONTACT PAPER STENCIL

 

IMAGE FINDING ASSIGNMENT:  Historic Ornament

 

In the library, on the internet or in your own books, look at historic ornament in order to use design elements in the creating of your own pattern.  Look particularly at American Indian, African, Oriental & South Seas patterns.  Make at least 4 drawings 4" square.  Use black pen plus one other color.  You may wish to use a viewfinder to simplify this assignment.

 

Stencil Method:  Contact paper

Registration Method:  Two color flip flop

 

 

 

PROBLEM III - WAX RESIST

 

IMAGE FINDING ASSIGNMENT:

 

Study the wood grain on various surfaces - outside or inside buildings - anywhere.  Don't ignore furniture. Plan AT LEAST 4 good patterns using this inspiration.  You may wish to use a 1" or 2" viewfinder to help determine the organization.  Drawings should be 4" square.

                                                                           OR

Study the patterns of butterfly wings.  Using them as an inspiration, develop AT LEAST 4 designs 4" square.

Stencil Method:  Wax (rubbed, drawn or painted)

Registration Method:  Shifted print

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-6-

 

PROBLEM IV - CUT FILM

 

IMAGE FINDING ASSIGNMENT:  Select a natural organic object (flower, fruit, vegetable, seed, pod, etc.) 

 

Examine it closely, using both the senses of sight and touch.  Look at it from all sides.  Dissect it.  Make a series of AT LEAST 4 drawings from it 4" square.  These may be a close-up of a small aspect, cross sections or total studies.  The object need not be identifiable but may be abstracted into basic but related forms.

 

Relax as you draw.  Keep your eyes focused and allow the pencil to follow on paper what the eye perceives.  Feel as if with the point of your pencil you are caressing the contours, the whole circumference of your object.  Just let your hand move.  If your pencil runs off the paper, that's fine.  You can always start again.  Only, don't let your eye wander from what it's seeing.

 

Stencil Method:  Cut film

Registration Method:  Leap Frog (3 colors plus cloth)

 

                 

 
 
 
FABRIC CARE

 

 

Layering colors on fabric:  The fiber holds only so much paint, so use the minimum of pigment needed to get the color you want, and avoid more than 3 layers.

 

 

Most flat smooth fabric can be used.  Fabrics supplied in class are ready to be printed.  Before printing, other fabrics should be tested and must be washed and ironed to remove sizing.  Heat setting is necessary for wash fastness.  This is best achieved by heat setting directly with an iron set at the appropriate fabric setting for two minutes.  Use a tissue as a protective surface.  Heat setting in a clothes dryer for thirty minutes is suitable after the colors have been lightly heat set with an iron first.  Wait one week after heat setting before washing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-7-

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

BOOKS

 

Design on Fabrics - Meda Parker Johnston, Glen Kaufman

Surface Design for Fabric - Richard Proctor, Jennifer Lew

Fabric Printing & Dyeing for the Theater - Deborah Dryden

Synthetic Dyes for Natural Fibers - Linda Knutson

Printed Textiles, A Guide to Creative Design Fundamentals -

   Terry Gentille

Designs for Printed Textiles - Carol Joyce

 

 

 

PERIODICALS (Most are available in your library)

 

Surface Design – This is the journal of the surface Design Association, a great organization to join.  Check them out on the web at: www.surfacedesign.org/

 

American Craft

Fiberarts

American Fabrics

Craft Report

W. Magazine

 

 

SUPPLY SOURCES

 

FABRIC                                                          PIGMENT AND MEDIUM

 

Testfabrics                                                     Colorcraft Ltd.

P.O. Box 26                                                   14 Airport Park Rd.

415 Delaware Ave.                                         East Granby, Ct. 06026

West Pittston, Pa 18643                                 e-mail: Createx@aol.com

e-mail: testfabric@aol.com                             Web: www.createxcolors.com

Web: www.testfabrics.com                             1-800-243-3712

 

 

The Surface Design Journal in your library is also a wonderful source of all textile related supplies.

 
 
 
TEXTILE PRINTERS JOURNAL

 

The standard end of class reflection question is:  How did I feel about today’s studio session?

 

·        Was I prepared for class?  How did this affect my work?

·        What do I like about my work today?  (Be as specific as possible.)  How did      I do this?

·        What problems (if any) did I encounter today?  How did I solve them?  (What technical “tricks” did I learn?)  What did I gain from observing the work of others in the class?  Is there anything specific I need to ask for help with?

·        What needs improving in my work?  How might I accomplish this?