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
To order ready to use CitraSolv altered pages from my etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/fromvictoryroad?section_id=12117386
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/
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/
Making Art Papers with CitraSolv | from victory road
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Late night CitraSolv party | from victory road
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havenofinspiration
Reblogged this on Haven of Inspiration.
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... - Amazingly DIY
[…] Via: fromvictoryroad.com […]
Rachel
is it the cleaner & degreaser? Or the citrasolv citra spot? Or something different? Thank you!
-Rachel
victoryrd
Rachel, it is the concentrated cleaner. Do not dilute it. Use in the concentrated form.
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
Thanks—I will try again with NEWER National Geographics!
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!
victoryrd
Hmmm, I am not sure what else to suggest. Do not use the ad pages at the front and back as they will not usually work as well. Put plenty of the concentrate on, they need to be drippy wet with it. Make sure you close the magazine while it does its thing.. but should work within 30 min. or so. Good luck trying! If all else fails, go here for download and print Citra Solv pages! https://www.etsy.com/listing/251275550/citra-solv-altered-pages-digital
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
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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!
Sue
I can’t find Citra Solv locally, is there anything else that works?
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!
Sue
Thank you!
Julia Handley
Hi im living in the uk so can you tell me what is citra solv
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!
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.
Kayann Ausherman
Enjoy!
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.
patsy
Thank you! I had not even considered this one 🤭
I appreciate your help
Kayann Ausherman
You are welcome!