Citra Solv Discovery

posted in: CRAFTY HOW TO | 28

turq watermark

One of my favorite art mediums is using CitraSolv concentrated cleaner on National Geographic pages to dissolve the deep, rich inks into unexpected designs and effects which can be used as elements in your collage and mixed media artwork.

I like to have a big CitraSolv “party” once in awhile where I make big stacks of CitraSolv papers to have on hand for my arting needs.  I cover the table with an old vinyl tablecloth, and have at it.  I like to tear apart old National Geographic magazines so the pages are already separated.  Then, working with stacks of 7-10 pages, I spray CitraSolv between each page.  I spray pretty generously, then put the soggy stack in a 9×13 inch pan to catch the inky dredge that will ooze out. I let them sit about 5 minutes, and then start peeling apart the pages to see what will emerge.  Less time leaves more of the image, and more time gives more of a bubbled pattern effect.  Peel apart the wet pages and lay out on the table, or better yet, once they are no longer “drippy” hang on a clothesline to dry.

Here are some resources for your own CitraSolv project:

Cathy Taylor’s instructional video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GOGK_BmyY&list=UUQoysbJNEmZrtbP7aFTiBKg

CitraSolv Artist Site

http://www.citrasolv.com/art/index.html

To view my art on the CitraSolv Artist Site

http://www.citrasolv.com/art/Kayann.html

And, for my Somerset Studio magazine article on using CitraSolv

http://stampington.com/somerset-studio/Somerset-Studio-Sep-Oct-2012

'Dream' 2012 mixed media published in Sept/Oct 2012 Somerset Studio magazine prints available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/fromvictoryroad?section_id=10724179
‘Dream’ 2012 mixed media published in Sept/Oct 2012 Somerset Studio magazine 

To order ready to use CitraSolv altered pages from my etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fromvictoryroad?section_id=12117386

e1

To see my mixed media artwork using CitraSolv:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fromvictoryroad?section_id=12117386

Also see my Deep Roots CitraSolv collage blog post

https://fromvictoryroad.com/2013/01/21/deep-roots/

IMG_3909

To order CitraSolv

http://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/27021/

http://stampington.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=citra%20solv

http://search.jerrysartarama.com/search?keywords=Citra+Solv

http://www.dickblick.com/products/citra-solv-natural-citrus-cleaner/

 

28 Responses

  1. Rachel

    is it the cleaner & degreaser? Or the citrasolv citra spot? Or something different? Thank you!
    -Rachel

  2. Deb

    Okay, what am I doing wrong—I have 1977 to 1983 National Geographics, Citrasolve concentrated cleaner and left them for 20 minutes—and the pages look the same! HELP!

    • victoryrd

      I prefer to use magazines dating from the year 2000 and newer. The results seem to be more dramatic. Also, make sure you are using the concentrated Citra Solv, and not what comes in a spray bottle. Hope that helps!

      • Deb

        Ok, I tried with 2015 mags, concentrated Citra Solve, and didn’t use the spray bottle. No luck. What am I doing wrong? I left them for over an hour and I can still see the pictures and no spotting or smearing. Help!

          • msdroy@aol.com

            Maybe my expectations were too high. I did get some smearing after leaving them overnight, but not what I had anticipated. Will see if I can use what I got. Thanks for following up!

            Deb

  3. Barbara Allen Frost

    have you used any other magazines than National Geographic?? I have not been able to find any of those to use because no one I know uses them….and not in any of the thrift stores I have visited. BUT…I do have Architectural Digest and some others that have heavy pages with lots of color printed on them….

    Thanks.

    • Kayann Ausherman

      I have been able to modify the ink on other magazines, but it doesn’t make the cool bubbly effect. You could certainly give it a try though. You might also try finding National Geographics at your local library store if they have one to sell off old and discontinued material. Or, if you have a Craig’s List or Buy, Sell, Trade type service for your area you could list a Want to Buy Ad. They are out there… and in my area they are fairly plentiful. Hope you can find some because they are worth the hunt! Good luck!

      • Barbara Allen Frost

        The library store is something I never thought about….will stop in there today. Meanwhile, I pulled out some heavily colored printed glossy pages from an Architectural Digest to try out. Thanks!

        • Kayann Ausherman

          Wishing you great success! Be sure and let me know if the Architectural Digest works out!

    • Kayann Ausherman

      Sue, there are some knock off citrus based cleaners, but I have not had as much success with those. I think maybe they are not as strong as the concentrated Citra Solv. Both Michaels and now JoAnns are supposed to now carry Citra Solv, but I have not yet seen them in the stores near me. I order from Dick Blick, Cheap Joe’s, or Jerry’s Artarama online. I have also found Citra Solv in the cleaning section of some health food stores like Whole Foods. Hope that helps!

    • Kayann Ausherman

      Julia, Citra Solv is an environmentally friendly, all purpose, citrus based, household cleaner. I use the concentrate directly on I am not sure if it is available in the U.K. or not. I order mine, sometimes, health food stores have it in their cleaning supply section. Good luck!

  4. Kate M

    Thank you for sharing this technique! I’m looking forward to giving it a try. It just so happens that my recently retired dad has some NatGeo mags in a box waiting to be made into something beautiful.

  5. patsy

    Question… using the Citra Solved pages as collage is the next step….
    Which product is the best? ModPodge? Varathane? Enviro Tex?
    Thanks 😄

    • Kayann Ausherman

      I use matte gel medium by Liquitex as an adhesive and as a finish.

Leave a Reply to havenofinspiration Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *