12. Using Acrylic Floor Finish as a Blockout

Years ago I hoped to find a blockout that could be temporaraly used and removed without disturbing the screen filler blockout. I tried a number of materials. Then one day I was reading the American Artist magazine and read of a printmaker who used Future Floor Wax directly on the screen with an airbrush to make graduated tones. I experimented with Future and found it too thin to spread over a screen. I reduced it on the stove by simmering it for about half an hour or until it was about half of the original quantity. See step 6. in this blog.

I have found this material to be very helpful. It cleans out of the screen with clear ammonia and doesn't disturb any screen filler. It works best when it is used for small areas within a screen filler stencil. I use two coats of Future and dry each right after I spread it over the drawing fluid.



During my class this week I will show how to use Future to make a colorful Valentine. I started by designing a card inspired by Clarice Cliff pottery. I set up the registration on my screen bed and proceeded to make a drawing fluid and screen filler stencil of every area that I want to print.

This card is 10" wide and 7" high, when folded it will go into a standard A - 7 envelope. My initals and the year will be on the back. I don't plan to print the inside of this card.