Silk-screening

I’ve dabbled with silk screening of t-shirts and I definitely love the process and the results… but I’d describe the results as little more than a fun past-time. I want to make my screening more artful. Interestingly, I’m not sure the best way to do so is through better use of photoshop MSPaint.

What makes the perfect silk screen?

If you recall, a year or so ago I posted a link to the Ramones on window shades. Find it here.

Today I saw this blending of Snow White and Apple on Digg. Genius!

I think silk screening is beautiful in part because it requires a simplification of color. Screening multiple colors is a pain in the butt, so you’ll rarely see silk screening that incorporates more than three colors.

So unearthing the fundamental shape of your subject is number one.

Less important, I think, than representing your subject is choosing one. For me, my favorite silk screen examples almost always incorporate some reference to pop culture. Don’t get me wrong, unique individual stuff is awesome too, but I just love it when someone can squeeze a pop culture image into a creative unexpected use.

And there’s medium. I’ve been exclusively working on t-shirts. I think I need to explore other types of canvas. Walls, drapes, pants… that snow white laptop is brilliant. I have an old bass amp that I don’t use much, perhaps I could silk screen something righteous on its face.

Finally, size. I’ve been so specifically focusing on 8×11 that I need to try something different. Something HUGE. I was thinking about trying to silk screen a wall in my house.

It’s time I expanded my silk screening envelope.

3 thoughts on “Silk-screening

  • 9/9/2009 at 5:17 pm
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    If you want help, count me IN.

    Reply
  • 9/11/2009 at 12:23 pm
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    you’re going to turn into the next Chuck Close

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  • 9/11/2009 at 6:37 pm
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    I don’t know who Chuck Close is, but for a second I mixed him up with Chuck Woolery. I’m guessing this guy is artsy and didn’t host Love Connection.

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