Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Simplify nature and make a stencil

monotype print / Linda Germain / May 19, 2016

Sometimes simple works. I am inspired by textures and shapes that are all around me, yet to create a pleasing print I often need to simplify.

Monoprint on Fabric – recycle a print from last year and added 3 flower shapes

Another gelatin plate print on fabric.

Monoprinting with the gelatin and glycerin plate on fabric is always an experimental surprise. You can pull prints very quickly and I often work on 10 or more pieces of fabric at once.

I like to work parts of the plate or fabric, rather than covering the whole print at one time. Recently, I discovered that it is a good idea to have plenty of fabric with coordinating colors, so that I can put the pieces together for a final project.

Enjoy a short video of the prints I pulled today.

Give this printmaking technique a try. Get the free recipe below and start pulling prints on paper or fabric very soon.

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!

Simplify nature and make a stencil Read More »

Why monoprint on Fabric?

fabric prints / Linda Germain / May 12, 2016

A monoprint is a one of a kind print. It can be made with or without a press.

What is the benefit of printing on fabric?

You can create one of a kind material for quilts, wall hangings, pillows and other projects
You can create foundation material for needle work
You can make patterned fabric to stretch on a frame or canvas
Fabric art is personal and tangible
Hand printed fabric can be crafted into tote bags and handbags
Monoprinted fabric can be stitched onto clothing
Note books can be covered and transformed with hand printed fabric
Shapes and details can be printed on hand towels

There are special benefits of using the gelatin plate and screen printing inks to print on fabric.

The gelatin plate is malleable and can hold a detailed impression in the ink and then with mere hand pressure it can be transferred to the fabric.
Other tools like ferns and feather can be combined with the gelatin plate to create delicate details.
You do not need a press or special printmaking studio
It is a water based, non-toxic process

You can join Monoprinting Fabric with the gelatin plate today! Read all the details on the workshop page.

Why monoprint on Fabric? Read More »

Bookmaking with hand printed fabrics

artist book / Linda Germain / May 10, 2016

I love books as tools, inspiration and touchable works of art. Today I made a quick little journal with a piece of monoprinted fabric.

I like to make up the binding as I go. so this is a modified long stitch binding.

The steps to making this little artist’s journal:

Cut the inside folios. Folio is a folded sheet of paper
Rounded the corners with my new corner punch
Nested 8 folios inside each other to create 3 signatures.
Cut 2 pieces of mat board a tiny bit bigger than my page size.
Taped those together with duct tape, and created the spine, wide enough to fit my pages.
Hot glued my hand printed fabric to the cover, wrapping it around the edge to the inside.
Poked 3 holes in the spine at the top and bottom.
Then poked holes in my 3 signatures to match
Starting on the inside of each signature, I stitched out through the spine, down to the bottom and back into the spine and through the signature.
Tie off each signature in the middle. Tie it snug enough so that the signature does not wiggle but not so tight that you tear the pages.
Finally I added some end pages to the inside covers. These cropped monotype prints cover up the uneven and unfinished edges of the fabric cover.
I used hot glue and tape so I could quickly finish my book project. I used waxed thread, because I had some on hand and I like the way it locks off on itself and keeps a good knot.

Do you love books? Do you use them in your art? Do you make books? Or do you dare cut them and use them as foundations for you artwork?

If you have not tried using a book in this way – try it today! Maybe use just a page or the cover. Play with a book. Make touchable, intimate art.

If you like the fabric portion of this project and would like some help monoprinting fabric, then join us in the online printmaking workshop, Monoprinting Fabric. Get the details on the printmaking class page. Class starts soon.

Bookmaking with hand printed fabrics Read More »