Repeating Designs

Recently we started experimenting with creating screens that make repeating designs.  There is an online video and instructions by Julia Rothman on hand drawing a repeat design that can accessed for free; more in-depth instruction is available on Skillshare.  We started with one of our single image screen designs.

Following the tutorial instructions, the design is split in half vertically and the pieces flipped, then taped together on the back.  Then it is split horizontally and flipped/taped again.  That divides the image into quarters that are moved to the outside corners leaving open space in the middle.  Add a new design element in the center and you are ready to go.  Check out the link above for a better visual explanation of this process.

Once the design was complete, it was scanned to create a new screen.  Then it was ready to test with paint.

Ready for first print.

Three repeats are printed.

Here's what the screen looks like in the process of printing.  We used paper towels to mask previous prints that were still damp, so the paint wouldn't transfer to the back of the screen.  The difficulty comes in trying to line up the new placement with the previous print.  Patience is definitely required! 

It's fun to see the design emerging.

Two completed rows - 6 repeats.

The completed piece (with a missing corner!)  Not bad for a first attempt.  We can see some spots where the segments could have been better matched, and think some tweaking of the design may help avoid that issue; we see more experimentation ahead.  Stay tuned for more on this topic!