How to Print with Paper Doilies
Paper Doilies
You can make some lovely background papers using paper doilies as prints. Using inks as an over-dye gives a really nice effect. The top picture below has been over-dyed with Pearlescent ink, which is what gives it that shimmery look.Ingredients
- acrylic paints
- F & W Acrylic Artists’ Ink
- Daler-Rowney Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic Ink
- Paper Lace doily – make sure it’s one with an open weave to let lots of color through
- sketch paper
Process
- Place the paper doily on top of the sketch paper.
- Using a soft brush, paint acrylic paints over the doily. If you use a gentle hand, you can reuse the doily several times. It will actually get a bit sturdier as layers of acrylic paint are added to it. Let your print dry. You can use the paper as is, or continue to the next step to over-dye it.
- The picture on the bottom was over-dyed with gold F & W ink. The one on the top was done using Pearlescent pink. I poured a little bit of ink onto a palette and brushed it over the printed paper. You can thin the inks with water for more subtle colors.
- Let dry.
If you feel like exploring more ideas for decorating paper to use in your art work, you might want to take a look at Ruth Issett’s book, Color on Paper and Fabric. I found the sumptuous colors and amazing photographs to be very inspiring.
