What You Need
Gray latex paint24×36-inch art canvasPaper towels or cotton cloth16×20-inch screen for screen printingPainters tapePlastic spoonsScreen drawing fluidSqueegeePlastic cupsScreen fillerOld toothbrushCardboardPolar fleecePermanent acrylic screen printing ink (we used coral, gold, dark blue, and gray)
Step 1: Apply Base Paint
Brush gray latex paint onto canvas, mixing with water as necessary to create a watercolor look. Wipe the canvas with paper towels or a cotton cloth for a mottled effect. Let dry.
Step 2: Apply Drawing Fluid
Tape off front and back edges of screen. Drop spoonfuls of drawing fluid across the back side of the screen. (This fluid defines the areas you’ll later fill with ink.) Pull the squeegee down the screen and in a side-to-side motion, applying pressure, to spread the fluid. Vary the pressure and angles as you work; the drawing fluid should not completely cover the screen but should create a varied effect—this is what will give your art an abstract quality. Prop screen on plastic cups with the flat side down. Let screen dry for two hours.
Step 3: Fill the Back
On the back side of the screen, apply screen filler and spread with squeegee. Let dry overnight.
Step 4: Rinse and Retape
Rinse screen with cool water to wash away blue drawing fluid. If needed, use an old toothbrush to remove stubborn blue areas. Remove wet tape. Let dry. Reapply tape to edges. Place cardboard in the back of the canvas frame. Place fleece on top. Turn canvas over so canvas is faceup. Tape screen edges.
Step 5: Drop First Color
You’ll use the screen to create a different-size band of each color. For the first hue, place the screen across the middle of canvas, aligned to one edge. Drop the first color of screen printing ink across top and middle of the screen.
Step 6: Squeegee Screen
Have a partner hold the screen firmly. Pull squeegee across the screen. Lift screen straight up.
Step 7: Add More Ink
Reposition the screen to continue filling in the band of color you just printed. Repeat inking and squeegeeing process, then rinse screen in cool water. Let canvas and screen dry.
Step 8: Repeat with Next Color
Place screen across canvas and apply second color to screen. To vary the look of the stripe, rotate the screen and tape off areas as desired. Repeat steps 5-7 with the second color. Always rinse the screen immediately, and allow the canvas and screen to dry between colors. Do not let ink dry on the screen.
Step 9: Add Final Colors
If desired, drop two more colors side by side on the screen. Squeegee the ink onto the screen. Continue repositioning the screen until canvas is covered as desired.
