Learn a simple printing technique to record textures and objects found on a village walk.
As well as the step-by-step instructions below, and the Activity Guide that you can download, there is also a short video, showing you how to enjoy a Tactile Walk.
Hi, I’m Jacquie. I’m an artist who really enjoys looking closely at things that many people pass by.
I’d like to invite you to join me in some ‘deep looking’, using our sense of touch to connect with our surroundings.
In this activity, we’ll be trying out a simple printing technique that encourages us to take a closer look and record interesting textures we find on our local walks and in our gardens.
Next time you take a stroll, around your garden or further afield, look out for interesting textures and shapes.
Seed heads, grasses, bark, shells and feathers all work well.
For this activity, you will need: –
I’ll be using Blu tack.
Click the button to download this activity guide as a PDF. If you would like to receive one of our Activity Packs in the post, please email mdf@suffolkartlink.org.uk with your full name and address, including postcode.
Take 2 pieces of Blu tack, roll them into balls then flatten them slightly.
We’re going to use these to make a 2 colour print.
Place a magazine on your work surface under your piece of paper; this helps produce a clearer print.
Press one of the Blu tack stamps into your lightest colour ink pad.
Now press your inked stamp onto your paper.
Press over the surface with your fingers to get an even pressure right to the edges.
Then remove your stamp.
Choose a texture from your collection and press it firmly into one of the Blu tack balls.
If its something bulky remove it to leave an impression. If it’s delicate, like the fennel head in our example, leave it in place.
Ink up the stamp with the impression with a darker colour.
I think black works well for picking up detail.
Wiggle it around to make sure all the nooks and crannies are inked.
Print this over the top of the light coloured prints you have just made.
And there’s your first print.
Think about how you can experiment, for example
What will you do with your prints? They are beautiful tiny artworks in their own right so you might want to frame them.
Or you could make them into a folded book, recording your walks or time spent in the garden.
Good luck with it – I look forward to finding out about the textures of your walks, so please do send in photos of your prints to mdf@suffolkartlink.org.uk so that we can post them to the Gallery.
