I found some packets of plain washi coasters at the art supply store and it gave me an idea. The coasters didn't respond to my ink brush and gansai paint the same way my preferred card stock does, so I had to make adjustments. The surface area of each coaster was much smaller than a postcard, of course, so adjustments had to be made for that too. Limited by space, I decided to accompany each drawing with an alphabet version of the Japanese name for each subject. In other words, the letters were simply a design element and had no independent meaning as Etegami words usually do. Before they can be put into use as coasters, they need to be sprayed with water-repellent or covered in plastic. I haven't decided yet which to do, or what product to use. Any suggestions?
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or you could use an clear acrylic gel paint to coat? Another option could be to print onto a transfer paper such as Lazertran (though not cheap) and then transfer onto the coasters. I wld then still treat with gel or something to waterproof. Or print stickers? Not as nice as hand painted of course. Just a few thoughts : )
ReplyDeleteI would think that coating them in plastic would interfere with the colors, which if you're like me you wouldn't want.
ReplyDelete@hp88, Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not familiar with some of these products, so I'll have to see what they have at the art supply store... maybe test them on something before I decide whether it's worth the bother.
ReplyDelete@Vvinni, you may be right about that. I could leave them un-coated, and use them for something other than coasters, where they aren't likely to get wet or dirty. Or I could consider them disposable coasters, not worry about them getting messed up, and just make new ones each time.
Brilliant Idea!!!
ReplyDeleteYippee! I found a spray for waterproofing that is specifically for washi and other traditional Japanese art materials. This should solve my problem with the coasters. Not to mention: Maybe it'll make it possible for me to safely send my original washi cards via overseas mail without them getting dirty and torn anymore.
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