Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Top tools for making foam relief printing plates

relief prints / Linda Germain / June 13, 2016

I have gathered my tools for making printing plates with styrofoam trays and sticky back craft foam.

It is low tech and non-toxic but you can still get some awesome results.

These are my favorite tools:

Pattern wheel makes dotted lines.
Cd case is great for a see through foundation for sticky back foam
Small masking stencils can be combined with the foam plate
Ball point pen is good for drawing strong recessed lines.
Elastics make cool wiggly impressions in the foam
Caps and covers make great round and oval impressions
Metal springs and wheels make strong impressions in the foam
Scissors small and large are needed for cutting
Two strong plexi glass plates make a good see through “foot press”
Soft felt pad makes a good printing surface.

Check out my gallery of some soft plate relief prints – CLICK here.

If you would like to make a bunch of printing plates and learn all the tricks for layering and getting the best impressions from this low tech process, then join us in the next printmaking workshop.

Class starts August 7th through the 18th
6 short, clear and actionable video lessons
Private Facebook group for sharing and Q and A
Instructor support, guidance and encouragement
Ability to download for lifetime access
All for Only $97.00

Registration is open. Go to the printmaking class page to sign up.

This is what people are saying about printmaking courses with Linda Germain:

If you think that you can’t learn in an online environment, think again!

You will be amazed at how much you learn from Linda. Each day she shows you techniques, through her very informative videos. You can play the videos again and again to further understand the process.

I learned the basics – making a plate, rolling ink (this took some practice!) and pulling a print. I am pleased with this. I feel that I can really move on and explore this technique in greater depth on my own.

Marsha Hardin Reske – Make Monotypes

Linda is a clear and thorough teacher, who is even open to suggestions. I would recommend this class to a friend.
Barbara Gould – Make Monotypes

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Printmaking without a Press – demo at the Haverhill Art Market

mixed media printmaking / Linda Germain / June 10, 2016

Printmaking without a Press Artist’s Demonstration

Linda Germain, mixed media printmaker
Haverhill Art Market
90 Washington St
June 18th 12 to 5

Printmaking without a press how is that possible? Actually you are probably very familiar with some printmaking techniques that do not require a press.

Screen printing – everyone has a screen printed t-shirt.

Rubber stamping – This process has be come very familiar to crafters and scrapbooking enthusiasts.

Stenciling – is common. Most of us have seen or used alphabet stencils to make a poster.

A less common process is monotype printing. You will have to come to the Market to see this one!

Come by the Haverhill Artist Market and ask questions, watch demo and maybe even try out one or more of these printmaking without a press techniques.

I will have the tools that I use to make my mixed media prints available and will be giving demos through out the day.

One of my goals is to demystify printmaking and help to make it accessible to everyone. Hope to see you at the Art Market next week.

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New Gelatin Printmaking Workshop – self study

monotype print / Linda Germain / June 8, 2016

You asked for it!

I am happy to deliver a comprehensive 15 lesson self-study of gelatin printmaking with ink, the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate and paper.

I know that some folks wanted to learn at their own time and pace, so I have re-designed and organized the information and lessons to create a course that guides you through:

Finding supplies
Making the gelatin and glycerin plate
Mastering your inks
Making and discovering tools and
Pulling 100’s of impressions and hopefully
Completing and displaying many beautiful prints

Check out the details on the Printmaking Class page.

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Frogs, fabric fun!

monotype print / Linda Germain / June 4, 2016

Right now we are in the middle of the Monoprinting Fabric printmaking course. One of the projects that we do is cover a journal with some of our hand printed fabric.

I love the soft feel of a fabric covered journal. I do my morning pages in a composition style notebook everyday. So I go through a lot of journals.

I primed the journal with gesso, so the design on the original cover would not show through the fabric.

I like to add some simple hand stitching to the fabric before I attach it to the journal.

Make a Glycerin & Gelatin Printing Plate Now!

Get the FREE recipe to make a gel printing plate

Additionally, you will receive a weekly email about printmaking, ideas, tips and courses.

Join us today and start having fun!

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Printmaking Inspired by spring blossoms

fabric prints / Linda Germain / June 3, 2016

I found these delicate little spring blossoms on my way home from the library today. Look at the shape of the petal. So perfect. I am going to do some more stencils based on these gently curving petals

Just yesterday, I cut a few 6 point flowers from some triple folded copy paper. I was pleased with the cutting, but not really a big fan of the shape of the stencil.

So I cut a rectangular strip of connected flowers and tried printing with them on the glycerin and gelatin plate. Happy with the results. The rectangle is a more familiar shape that will work with my other stash of stencils.

If you want to try cutting some six pointed flowers or snowflake then watch my quick little video. The only tricky part is getting the 60 degree angle of the fold.