A little baking soda or borax will neutralize the acidity of the coffee. You can use ph strips to confirm a neutral ph. Otherwise the acids will eat through the paper. It isn't fast, but the acids will make loose paper brittle along the edges after 20ish years.
WOW, no kidding about the baking soda. I assume you add it before you use the coffee to stain the papers? Brilliant idea. I have many coffee stained papers that I've used in collages, and they still look good probably because I'm careful to seal them in medium, varnish and wax when the artwork is done. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Cat, I gave the coffee a try and found my skewars really stuck to the paper, (110GSM) I had to rip them off and it lifted off the paper. With the leftover coffee I added some detergent and made some more bubbles like we did in Kickstart. Am going to try today with colour. BTW, the salt and rice created some gorgeous marks.
Thanks so much for letting me know what happened using regular coffee. You got good papers using regular coffee and salt and rice? Just want to make sure I got it correct!
@@catrains.artist I used Nescafe instant espresso. Some of the rice was hard to get off as well. I got a nail brush and gently rubbed it off. Also, how do you deal then with the dried wavy paper Cat? Thanks, Helen
You are inspiring. I have to run out & buy some instant coffee now. I might try it with my regular coffee, see what happens. I hope you do another in-person workshop/retreat next year. I'm a fan.
That is very kind of you to say. I've tried regular coffee and it didn't work. But its worth giving in another try. Maybe not all coffee's react the same. I'll be doing a workshop in Asheville next Spring when it gets rescheduled. Make sure you get my newsletter so that you know when spots open up.
What a great video, Cat! I started coffee staining last night on a variety of papers and some lace. I am limited in space for letting them dry so only got a few done. I’m kind of glad that happened because now I can try some of your techniques as well. What paper would you suggest instead of sketch or rice paper? I seem to have a lot of types of papers but not those two. Btw, I saw a question about using left over morning coffee… it works just as well as the instant and dries great.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the art demo. Really you can do this on all types of paper, including copy and drawing paper. I also love it on old book pages. Good to know that this worked using regular left over coffee as well.
So glad you enjoyed the demo. Read the comments below for a couple great ideas of how to eliminate the acid from the coffee. Wish I had known this before I made these papers!
@@mariacohen5179 You loving comments have absolutely made my day! Doing a glue gun stencil demo might not happen until the new year, but I'll put in top of the list. Have you taken my free 5-day online class Collage Kickstart? If not, you might enjoy using all the papers you make during my demos there. The link to this class in until MORE in the description.
LOVED all these ideas.... Curious.. for the papers where you painted the paper with coffee, does it have to be instant? could you use left over morning coffee? Obviously, for the papers where you use the ganuals and drop them on the paper, it would have to be instant, but would old morning coffee work?
So glad you loved these techniques Emily. Good question about left over coffee. My guess is that it will stain your paper, but I haven't tried it (I don't drink coffee or I would give it a go!). Please let me know what you find out!
Love all your techniques, but especially #3 where you use the dry coffee particles on the wet paper. Brilliant! I've done the same with water-soluble graphite with similar results, but in black and shades of gray rather than brown. (BTW, it's Espresso, not Expresso ;-)
Using water-soluable graphite sounds beautiful too! Thanks for the idea to try. Based on my spelling of "Expresso" you probably know that I don't drink the stuff. Coffee either 😉.
Fantastic Catherine! So many awesome results. I wonder what might happen using tissue paper and the experiments you did in this video? Thank you for your abundant generosity!!
So glad you enjoyed the demo. I did use tissue to blot up the extra coffee, but it was so saturated that it was unusable for me. However, if I have been more intentional about using the tissue, it probably would have worked.
Good question! Personally I seal my coffee stained papers once used in a collage with medium, varnish and then wax. However, there are two people in the comments who have shared how to get rid of the acid from the coffee, which would help make this papers lightfast as well.
Many years ago, a gallery owner told me he used coffee in one of his paintings, and that as years went by, creatures - rodents? cockroaches? - ate through it. Something to think about. Will the coffee attract varmints? Does it matter if the art lasts for decades?
Very good point. Since I use a lot of materials in my art that might not be archival (like coffee), I take special care of add lots of coats of matte medium, varnish and wax to thoroughly seal the work from such things happening. Always possible that it still could, but I've never seen it happen yet.
A little baking soda or borax will neutralize the acidity of the coffee. You can use ph strips to confirm a neutral ph. Otherwise the acids will eat through the paper. It isn't fast, but the acids will make loose paper brittle along the edges after 20ish years.
WOW, no kidding about the baking soda. I assume you add it before you use the coffee to stain the papers? Brilliant idea. I have many coffee stained papers that I've used in collages, and they still look good probably because I'm careful to seal them in medium, varnish and wax when the artwork is done. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Cat, I gave the coffee a try and found my skewars really stuck to the paper, (110GSM) I had to rip them off and it lifted off the paper. With the leftover coffee I added some detergent and made some more bubbles like we did in Kickstart. Am going to try today with colour. BTW, the salt and rice created some gorgeous marks.
Thanks so much for letting me know what happened using regular coffee. You got good papers using regular coffee and salt and rice? Just want to make sure I got it correct!
@@catrains.artist I used Nescafe instant espresso. Some of the rice was hard to get off as well. I got a nail brush and gently rubbed it off. Also, how do you deal then with the dried wavy paper Cat? Thanks, Helen
Wow!those are awesome results. Simple easy splendour! Thanks so much for sharing 🎉😂
Thanks so much for watching! Have you tried this yet?
This was INCREDIBLE fun!!! Love to see you experiment and share. THANKS!!! 😁🎨
Awwww thanks Lori! I appreciate you coming along for my wild experiments.
Wow! What a fabulous collection! Looks like you had so much fun experimenting.
Thanks so much Andrea. So much fun to create. Hope you give it a try!
You are inspiring. I have to run out & buy some instant coffee now. I might try it with my regular coffee, see what happens. I hope you do another in-person workshop/retreat next year. I'm a fan.
That is very kind of you to say. I've tried regular coffee and it didn't work. But its worth giving in another try. Maybe not all coffee's react the same. I'll be doing a workshop in Asheville next Spring when it gets rescheduled. Make sure you get my newsletter so that you know when spots open up.
Loved experimenting with you, especially using salt. Cant wait to see what you create with these papers.
I loved that you experimented with me! And the salt technique is definitely super cool.
What a great video, Cat! I started coffee staining last night on a variety of papers and some lace. I am limited in space for letting them dry so only got a few done. I’m kind of glad that happened because now I can try some of your techniques as well. What paper would you suggest instead of sketch or rice paper? I seem to have a lot of types of papers but not those two. Btw, I saw a question about using left over morning coffee… it works just as well as the instant and dries great.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the art demo. Really you can do this on all types of paper, including copy and drawing paper. I also love it on old book pages. Good to know that this worked using regular left over coffee as well.
you are a constant source of inspiration for me
I am truly very touched by your words of support!
I really like the folk mark making and rice effect
Oh me too. Probably my faves out of the 10 ways.
Thank you Catherine so simple to make with the outcome of stunning collage papers
I will be practicing this week …..
So glad you enjoyed the demo. Read the comments below for a couple great ideas of how to eliminate the acid from the coffee. Wish I had known this before I made these papers!
Wow stunning- new to following you, great ideas to try. Do you show how to make hot glue stencil? Definitely adding to the try list 🎉
I'm honored that you are now part of my arty world! Yes I know how to make hot glue stencils. Would you like an art demo on this???
Oh yes please, just love your teaching style, energy & techniques , going back in time and soaking in as many demos as I can 🤯wow greatness 🥰🎨
@@mariacohen5179 You loving comments have absolutely made my day! Doing a glue gun stencil demo might not happen until the new year, but I'll put in top of the list. Have you taken my free 5-day online class Collage Kickstart? If not, you might enjoy using all the papers you make during my demos there. The link to this class in until MORE in the description.
LOVED all these ideas.... Curious.. for the papers where you painted the paper with coffee, does it have to be instant? could you use left over morning coffee? Obviously, for the papers where you use the ganuals and drop them on the paper, it would have to be instant, but would old morning coffee work?
So glad you loved these techniques Emily. Good question about left over coffee. My guess is that it will stain your paper, but I haven't tried it (I don't drink coffee or I would give it a go!). Please let me know what you find out!
I use leftover coffee all the time it does tend to be lighter so sometimes I add instant espresso to my leftover coffee just to darken it up.
Love this!! So much fun to watch your creativity!!
What a kind thing to say Deborah! Thank you.
Great tips Catherine -- thank you! ❤
Thanks so very much for watching!
Thank you for these ideas! And the time stamps!
You are most welcome! Glad the time stamps were helpful.
Love all your techniques, but especially #3 where you use the dry coffee particles on the wet paper. Brilliant! I've done the same with water-soluble graphite with similar results, but in black and shades of gray rather than brown. (BTW, it's Espresso, not Expresso ;-)
Using water-soluable graphite sounds beautiful too! Thanks for the idea to try. Based on my spelling of "Expresso" you probably know that I don't drink the stuff. Coffee either 😉.
Beautiful and so much fun!!!
Thanks so much Carolyn!
Fantastic Catherine! So many awesome results. I wonder what might happen using tissue paper and the experiments you did in this video? Thank you for your abundant generosity!!
So glad you enjoyed the demo. I did use tissue to blot up the extra coffee, but it was so saturated that it was unusable for me. However, if I have been more intentional about using the tissue, it probably would have worked.
Very inspiring
Awww thank you Alison!
Very cool!!!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
How do you keep it lightfast?
Good question! Personally I seal my coffee stained papers once used in a collage with medium, varnish and then wax. However, there are two people in the comments who have shared how to get rid of the acid from the coffee, which would help make this papers lightfast as well.
What would happen if a tea bag was dried on the coffee? 😊
Someone in this comment chain said that a teabag could take out the acidity. Sounds good to me!
Many years ago, a gallery owner told me he used coffee in one of his paintings, and that as years went by, creatures - rodents? cockroaches? - ate through it. Something to think about. Will the coffee attract varmints? Does it matter if the art lasts for decades?
Very good point. Since I use a lot of materials in my art that might not be archival (like coffee), I take special care of add lots of coats of matte medium, varnish and wax to thoroughly seal the work from such things happening. Always possible that it still could, but I've never seen it happen yet.