This page will Be constantly updated, please send your questions to us to make it even better
Q: How much do workshops cost?
Our current hosts Micro Folie Saint Germain en Laye offers free workshops! Get in touch with them to check availability
We also have workshops at The Guimet Museum in Paris. Please refer to their website for bookings. https://www.guimet.fr/
Our current hosts Micro Folie Saint Germain en Laye offers free workshops! Get in touch with them to check availability
We also have workshops at The Guimet Museum in Paris. Please refer to their website for bookings. https://www.guimet.fr/
Q: Are your paintings sold framed or unframed?
Generally the artwork is sold unframed. On the whole, customers prefer to choose their own style of frames and a roll is much easier to ship with less risk of damage than a glass framed picture
Generally the artwork is sold unframed. On the whole, customers prefer to choose their own style of frames and a roll is much easier to ship with less risk of damage than a glass framed picture
Q: Do you accept commissions to create a work of art?
Yes I do, please contact me to discuss your idea
Yes I do, please contact me to discuss your idea
Q: What paint does this process use?
I like using acrylic paints on watercolour paper, a thick grade of at least 300 gram weight. Acrylic paint is quick drying so I don't have to wait too long before printing the next plate. Watercolour paper because the paint must be mixed with water to have the right consistency and so the paper must be absorbent enough to stop the colour spreading too much during printing. However, I have experimented with inks and watercolour paint with some success too
I like using acrylic paints on watercolour paper, a thick grade of at least 300 gram weight. Acrylic paint is quick drying so I don't have to wait too long before printing the next plate. Watercolour paper because the paint must be mixed with water to have the right consistency and so the paper must be absorbent enough to stop the colour spreading too much during printing. However, I have experimented with inks and watercolour paint with some success too
Q: Do you include paints in your kits?
At the moment kits ship without paint included. Even though it would be super convenient, kits will not be sold with paints at this point. One reason for this is that I am still experimenting and have found that many types of paint and inks could apply to this process very well, so I don't want to decide for anyone which is best. Also, trying and buying your choice of medium is really part of the fun of doing art
For the moment I would recommend starting with a primary colour pack like this shown below. They are inexpensive, have great value for money and contain enough paint to get started without worrying about running out. It is also great to get back in touch with mixing primary colours to get all the other colours, barring gold or silver or neon colours etc.
At the moment kits ship without paint included. Even though it would be super convenient, kits will not be sold with paints at this point. One reason for this is that I am still experimenting and have found that many types of paint and inks could apply to this process very well, so I don't want to decide for anyone which is best. Also, trying and buying your choice of medium is really part of the fun of doing art
For the moment I would recommend starting with a primary colour pack like this shown below. They are inexpensive, have great value for money and contain enough paint to get started without worrying about running out. It is also great to get back in touch with mixing primary colours to get all the other colours, barring gold or silver or neon colours etc.
Did you know? All kits are packaged and shipped in a very durable plastic box and the lid of the box makes a very good paint mixing palette
Q: How long does it take to make a block-print?
It depends, our workshops are usually 2 hours long, and children as young as 8 are able to finish The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (seven plates/colours) with our supervision. But then, children are fearless with their colour choices! Adults who are usually committed to making a perfect print may take a little longer...
I would say practice greatly speeds up the process and increases the quality of a print. Our kits range from a quick and easy 2 plates to a more challenging 7 plates. I once made a series of 10 prints and each required 52 plates!! Each print took 4 days
It depends, our workshops are usually 2 hours long, and children as young as 8 are able to finish The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (seven plates/colours) with our supervision. But then, children are fearless with their colour choices! Adults who are usually committed to making a perfect print may take a little longer...
I would say practice greatly speeds up the process and increases the quality of a print. Our kits range from a quick and easy 2 plates to a more challenging 7 plates. I once made a series of 10 prints and each required 52 plates!! Each print took 4 days
Q: Are the 3D printed printing plates reusable?
The printing plates are 3D printed with PLA plastic, made with corn based oil. They are quite durable and reusable for dozens of impressions (we have used the same plates for dozens of workshops so far) as long as they are not exposed to temperatures above 60 degrees centigrade (NO: hot tap water, putting them in the dishwasher, drying on radiator or heaters etc.) Otherwise they will lose their flatness and cannot be used for printing anymore
The printing plates are 3D printed with PLA plastic, made with corn based oil. They are quite durable and reusable for dozens of impressions (we have used the same plates for dozens of workshops so far) as long as they are not exposed to temperatures above 60 degrees centigrade (NO: hot tap water, putting them in the dishwasher, drying on radiator or heaters etc.) Otherwise they will lose their flatness and cannot be used for printing anymore
Q: Are the plates breakable?
Some plates have very small details or thin line sections on them, these may be damaged if handled/washed roughly and become detached or bent. Repairs can easily be made with superglue. In fact if there are any such fine features we sometimes reinforce them with superglue before shipping
Note: It is important to wash the paint off the plates right away OR place the plates in a bath of slightly soapy water during printing. This prevents acrylic paint drying on them. If a thick coat of paint, or many thin coats are allowed to dry on the plate, it may permanently reduce the print-ability of fine details. Use a medium stiffness brush (like the brush that goes with a dustpan) to wash the plates, in cold soapy water
Some plates have very small details or thin line sections on them, these may be damaged if handled/washed roughly and become detached or bent. Repairs can easily be made with superglue. In fact if there are any such fine features we sometimes reinforce them with superglue before shipping
Note: It is important to wash the paint off the plates right away OR place the plates in a bath of slightly soapy water during printing. This prevents acrylic paint drying on them. If a thick coat of paint, or many thin coats are allowed to dry on the plate, it may permanently reduce the print-ability of fine details. Use a medium stiffness brush (like the brush that goes with a dustpan) to wash the plates, in cold soapy water
Q: What do you mean when you say '3D printed and hand finished printing plates'?
The printing plates are produced with a 3D printing process developed over the last three years. The 3D printer is custom made and tuned to make plates that can print fine details but are also strong enough to last many impressions
The top surface of each plate transfers the paint, it's flatness and final shape affect its fidelity to the artist's intention, these factors are controlled by a final sanding process. Here is a picture of me hand-finishing some plates before use
The printing plates are produced with a 3D printing process developed over the last three years. The 3D printer is custom made and tuned to make plates that can print fine details but are also strong enough to last many impressions
The top surface of each plate transfers the paint, it's flatness and final shape affect its fidelity to the artist's intention, these factors are controlled by a final sanding process. Here is a picture of me hand-finishing some plates before use
