Tuesday 13 March 2012

So I bought this laser printer....

... and then it sat on my desk for almost a year, unpacked, un-setup and unloved! 

It all started some time last year, when I was lucky enough to take a two-day class with the awesome Dina Wakley at Art From the Heart.  One of the mini-book projects featured a page that used a photocopy of a photograph Dina had taken of a ruined abbey.  (I can't find the project right now, otherwise I'd show you the page!)  Anyway, I can't remember exactly what we had to do with the photocopy, but I wasn't really feeling it, so I just started to apply ink, paint and colorwash sprays to it.  As the ink on the photocopy had been heat-set during the copying process it meant that none of the black bled or ran and I was really happy with the result.

I enjoyed making the page so much that it got my mind working and I realised that a laser printer attached to my computer could be used in the same way as a photocopier and I could do more of that kind of thing at home.  Jump to a few weeks later, and I decided to research laser printer prices online, and I was shocked, (SHOCKED I tell you!) to find that a brand new Samsung laser printer could be had for around £30!!  I ordered one immediately, keen to get started with it, and then when it arrived a couple of days later, I ignored it for almost a year LOL

Last night I needed to print some music out from my computer only to find that my inkjet printer was out of ink.  (Did I tell you I've started learning the piano?  No?  Well I have.)  Having no alternative I set up the laser printer, as I was only printing black text.  Needless to say, it worked fine, and my mind started turning again to ways in which to use it in my crafting.

The alphabet stamps on this card are from an Australian stationery chain called kikki.K.  (Did I tell you I was in Australia for a month recently?  No?  Well I was.)  The woman on this card is actually a colour photograph in a book I have, which I scanned in and then tweaked to make it into a black and white image.  I printed it out and this card is the result.  I'm sure I'll do more of this in the future, so watch this space! :)

8 comments :

Aimeslee Winans said...

aWESOME! I too have a laser printer and I love to do image transfers (packing tape, glue doen rub off, solvent pen). Also, I love to trace laser copies onto deli paper. Also scan in my sketches and print out on laser to color. xoxo

Sid said...

Interesting effect !!

misteejay said...

Gosh you have been busy Dan - when do you find time to craft...what with the music lessons and globe-trotting.

Very clever effect on this piece and it looks like you'll be making up for lost time hehe

Toni xx

Gabby said...

Great image! Like how you've colored it. Waaay cool! ;)

Brian Kasstle said...

Oh this is one cool spread... Love it!!!!

Julian said...

Wow, really strong piece - I love the way you've absorbed a distinct Soviet propaganda feel into your grungy aesthetic. Your colour choices in particular are wonderful and highlight the way you've recontextualised the central image. So so so clever!

Glen said...

WOW Dan. I bet you are happy that you 'opened the box' after waiting a year! *Ü* Great project and what talent you have - printing, crafting and now piano playing. So will we be getting YouTube videos of your progress? *Ü* TFS. ~Glen~

Suzy said...

Very funny!

You are not only awesomely talented, but have a great sense of humor too. Love it! Thanks for a fabulous blog and all your exquisite projects.

Related Posts with Thumbnails