Art media suggestions

[DoodleJump!]

If I wanted to do a series of paintings done in the style of political propaganda (clean, simple lines and shapes; vivid, basic coloring) would silkscreen look the best? I want the end result to be a very clean-cut, mass-produced-like image. All I've ever done is acrylic and oil painting. Any advice or suggestions?

[Trotskie]

Silk screen would work, or you could make some stencils and use spray paint. 

[senorcorazon]

The questions on whether or not to do silkscreen (for me, at least) would be: how many in the edition?, how many different colors?, and most importantly, do you have access to a setup for shooting screens and inking? If you don't have access to a setup and are doing a small run, I'd be wary of getting into it. You could use simple stencils using something like parchment paper (here's a tutorial, hilarious in content choice): http://www.printcutsew.com/118/easy-pet-portrait-silkscreen-project/

However, if you're close to a setup you could use (or there's one in your neighborhood like Space 1026 in Philly) it's fun and definitely gives you distinct results.

You can also do some printing on to canvas and then paint directly on those for the more detailed bits.

[Dan in Chicago]

Silk screens have some trouble holding up over multiple prints. For propaganda you are probably looking for something stronger than that. I just finished a 3 painting series for the School for the Art Institute of Chicago, which is several layers of acrylic shapes and colors, and than I stenciled and spray painted slogans over them, so the original paintings are pretty hard to see. It came out alot better than I was hoping and seems to be kinda along the lines of what you are looking for, so you might want to try something like that.

[DoodleJump!]

Silk screens have some trouble holding up over multiple prints. For propaganda you are probably looking for something stronger than that. I just finished a 3 painting series for the School for the Art Institute of Chicago, which is several layers of acrylic shapes and colors, and than I stenciled and spray painted slogans over them, so the original paintings are pretty hard to see. It came out alot better than I was hoping and seems to be kinda along the lines of what you are looking for, so you might want to try something like that.

These were very helpful- thanks a lot. I like this particular idea of both acrylic and spray paint and stencils.
To get into silkscreening, I'd have to purchase kits and stuff (I do not live anywhere near a setup.) I may put a hold on that for the near future.

Any advice on stenciling while I'm at it?

[Dan in Chicago]

Haha, practice first. Seriously, try it on anything before you do it on what you are trying to make. It might sound kinda basic but I didn't try it first, and just went straight onto my first painting in the series, and almost seriously messed it up. Maybe I'm stupid and you know to do this, but seriously don't ruin it by doing what I almost did. Spray paint never works they way I think it's going to.

[senorcorazon]

Yes, get ready for surprises. The whole positive=negative thing takes a little while to get use to. But if you expect to get weird little errors and drips it can be an advantage.

[Trotskie]

I'd add that if you keep your work surface horizontal (on the table or floor) and work with the spray can almost perpendicular to the surface you will get better control.  Let the paint fall like misty rain.  Sad misty rain.  Working light also extends the life of you stencil.  If you soak it with heavy paint it will be more likely to buckle and warp.

You might want to consider reading about printmaking registration.  Something simple like having the stencils share common corners will help you plan related areas.

Using clear stencils (mylar?) would allow you to see the previous work and let you develop the new areas more actively.  I think it makes the process feel less mechanical.