Rust + Blue on Paper

This workshop is playful and experimental. You will “Rust + Blue” a selection of provided papers, as well as be asked to bring a selection of your own pre-printed and specialty papers.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Safely “rust” paper using simple, readily available chemicals and understand how variables (paper type, solution concentration, and dipping order) influence colour outcomes.
• Work with an indigo dye vat to introduce rich, blue tones onto plain papers and rusted sheets.
• Experiment with paper folding techniques to create dimensional patterns (Note: this is not a Shibori workshop, but rather an exploration of how folds interact with rust and dye).
• Select and combine additional chemicals or additives to modify rust effects.
• Incorporate cyanotype chemistry into your compositions (for those who already know cyanotype basics) to layer a different “blue” with rusted textures.

You will leave this workshop with a collection of “rust + blue” papers and handouts with information to keep you adding rust and blues to paper after our workshop day.

All necessary materials for this workshop are provided for this workshop. They include, but are not limited to:

– Appropriate chemicals and papers for rusting
– Indigo dye vat and cyanotype chemicals
– Sundry supplies needed to prepare and create your rust + blue papers
– Tea and coffee, with a light morning and afternoon tea

You are encouraged to bring with you additional papers – your own pre-printed papers, specialty papers,and commercially printed papers. Refer to the What To Bring tab for more information.

PAPERS. Please bring with you a selection of pre-printed and/or specialty papers from your own collection – gel plate monoprints, eco-printed papers, drawings, linocuts, etchings etc.. You can “rust” these papers to see how rusted paper works over already-printed papers.

LUNCH. Please bring lunch. I recommend bringing your lunch to maximise the time you have printing and learning in the studio. You can pop into town to buy lunch, but it is a few minutes drive and parking can be difficult (Maleny is a popular weekend destination).

Please also bring a journal or notebook for taking notes during the workshop.

Participants are advised to wear closed-in shoes, and suitable clothing or an apron that you do not mind getting dirty or stained.

We will be handling diluted caustic soda on the day. Gloves will be provided, and it is expected that you will wear these while creating your rusted papers.