Turn your drawings into Trace Monoprints

trace monoprint / /

Do you work hard to make a drawing that you like? I do.

line drawing of a chair - good for trace monoprinting

One way to make your drawings live on is to use them to make trace monoprints. This is an easy low tech way of printmaking without a press.

Tea cup drawings turned into trace monotypes

I love taking a drawing and using it to make mixed media piece of artwork. I think the beauty of a line drawing is that  it let’s the artist’s hand show through.

ink dropper face drawing

I love when then energy of the moment is captured in a quick gesture drawing. For me it can take 20 or more drawings to get one that I like. But I don’t mind. I know that the whole time I am building my SEEing skills.

art sketchbook by linda germain

Drawing is about really seeing what is in front of you and then flattening that 3d image into a 2d drawing. I think that their can be  a lot of baggage and rules around what is a “good” drawing. That pains me.

doodle by linda germain

The whole, “I am good enough,” conversation can get in the way of fun and learning. One way to start believing that you are good enough is to look at what “good” drawings are on exhibit in the modern museums, look at some art history books and see what they call “good.”

collage by linda germain

Then find a famous artist who you admire and study her/him. Copy some of his/her drawings, as studies. That is what the old master’s did. Keep it fun!

simplified flower drawings by linda germain

Consider, joining the online class, Draw into Print – a weekend drawing and printmaking workshop.  Read the details on the workshop page here.

 

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Possibilities for printing palettes

tools / /

We use a palette to roll up ink and get a nice thin layer on the brayer. There are options to choosing a palette.

I like to keep things simple and use what I have, so I am going to give you some ideas for what to use for a palette for rolling up ink.

Palettes for rolling up ink for printmaking

Palette Options:

  • Piece of plexi glass or acrylic about 11″ x 14″ or bigger. You may be able to find “remnants” of this from a glass or window repair shop.
  • Plexi glass from a Poster frame is another option. These are usually thinner and may need to be taped to the table.
  • Glass from a picture frame, with the edges taped is another idea – just be careful. Don’t cut yourself.
  • Plastic chopping mats can work – You may need to tape it to the workbench.
  • Freezer paper taped to the table works too. It helps if the table is smooth and the freezer paper is securely taped down.

I use plexi glass plates. They are easy to clean and I don’t have to tape them in place. And I get them free from my dad. So if you are new to printmaking or you are looking for options for palettes try out some of the ideas above and see what works best for you.

Ready to Ink your brayer

Join us in the next online printmaking workshop – read the details on the print workshop page.

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Many ways to learn to Draw

drawings, trace monoprint / /

As I fine tune the drawing lessons for the new weekend workshop, I am seeing that there are as many ways to learn to draw as there are teachers and students.

drawing books to inspire printmaking

Some say learn to draw in 15 minutes and another 355 hours.

So what is the truth?

It depends:

  • What are your goals?
  • What style do you want to learn?
  • What is your reason to want to draw?
  • What experience or baggage do you bring to the class?

 

contour drawings and trace monoprint workshop

It helps to:

  • Focus on expanding your idea of drawing
  • Explore gesture and contour drawing
  • Building a drawing habit that will feed your printmaking for life

So I would say it probably takes more than 15 minutes to draw and hopefully less than 355 hours to start to make drawings that you like. The thing to do is to find the tools that support you and your unique expression through drawing and printing.

flower monoprint linda germain

The thing that takes so much time is:

  • Switching to the right/spatial side of the brain
  • Training yourself to LOOK at what you are drawing
  • Start to see what you like about your drawing and be less critical

If you would like to use your simplified drawings to make Trace Monotype Prints, then check out the details on the workshop page.

If you would like a simple tutorial to explore some contour line drawings, then sign up below.

GET the FREE drawing with Matisse Tutorial
Build your skills and confidence in your ability to draw

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

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New tools for making artist books

book arts / /

I was pleased to learn about using calipers and dividers to make measurements for folding and cutting when making artists books.

Use calipers for measuring for art books

Martha Kearsley, of the Strong Arm Bindery, showed us how to use these tools to measure book blocks and threads to calculate the width of the spine. The caliper is the tool on the bottom with the dial. The teeth on the left open like a mouth and measure a text block.

The pointy tool on the right is a spring loaded divider. Turn the screw on the right and the pointy legs open or close. This allows you to divide the paper into equal lengths with out doing the math or using a ruler. This is good for dividing up the sewing stations on a binding and figuring out the folds of an accordion book.

Artists book with long stitch binding Linda Germain

We had about 30 artists in the Summer Book Arts Program a USM and there will be an exhibit in September and October:

Book Arts Exhibition: September 6– October 15, 2016
Glickman Family Library, 6th floor USM, 314 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04104

Lecture and Reception: Monday, September 12th, 4:00 p.m.,
Lecture by Summer Book Arts Faculty Member: Abbie Read
University Events Room, 7th floor
Glickman Family Library, 314 Forest Avenue, Portland Campus

Following the lecture there will be an exhibition reception from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
6th floor near Special Collections
Refreshments will be served
Free and Open to the Public

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See draw print – new class

drawings, trace monoprint / /

Check out the details about this new weekend printing and drawing workshop.

line self portrait drawing linda germain

This may be just the printmaking class that you have been waiting for. We will be exploring expressive line drawing, drawing habits and trace monoprints.

GET the FREE drawing with Matisse Tutorial
Build your skills and confidence in your ability to draw

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

 

See draw print – new class Read More »