Experiments in SolarFast printing - part 5

 For this batch of experimental prints, I wanted to focus on trying to preserve brush stroke lines, and on working towards a watercolor feel. I began with a stargazer lily blossom and a hosta leaf.

 As before, these are all on cotton sateen. I'm working with a combination of SolarFast solar dyes and DyeNaFlow textiles paints. After applying the paints and adding the plants, I misted them with additional water, covered them with glass, and set them in the sun for exposure. For this batch the weather was in the mid 80s F, with moderate humidity.

 Above is a cluster of Japanese Anemone leaves, below is a branch from a ninebark shrub, and I finished out the batch with a plume poppy leaf.

 I let them expose for about three hours. Again, having learned how to work with these products according to the manufacturer's instructions, I'm playing around with the possibilities.

 With the last batch of these, I let them dry overnight, then ironed them to heat set the DyeNaFlow before washing them out. This time I decided I wanted a degree of washout, so they went into the washer with hot water and textile detergent right after exposure. Here's the damp, un-washed prints:

 And here are the final prints. There's lots of good detail in the stargazer blossom.

 Just the right amount of washout in this hosta print.

 The leaf spaces in the Japanese Anemone print are a bit too open at this point, but once I add the leaf veining with stitching they will be perfect.

 I don't think I've worked with nine bark before, but it turned out well and I will use it again.

 I'm especially happy with the way the brush strokes and water color feel came through on this plume poppy print. I feel like I am capturing the essence of July in the garden with this batch of prints.

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