Make better stencils so you can make better ART

monotype print / /

Stencils are the foundation for images in screen printing. Stencils are used as masks and tools in monoprinting on the gel plate.

Masking Stencils for Monoprinting by Linda Germain

If you make prints without a press you can make better prints, if you have stronger stencil making skills.

Practice and cut more stencils and you will get better. I hope this does not discourage you or disappoint.

But if you get into the habit of collecting ideas and images, and then cut out one new stencil every couple of days, then your collection of unique hand made stencils will grow at a steady pace, and you will have more than enough printmaking options.

Stencil Making Tips by Linda Germain for printmaking without a press

Here are three stencil cutting practice tips:

  1. Download my free Cutting SKILLS Worksheet by Linda Germain and use it. If you save all the cut outs you will have 7 small masking stencils and 8 traditional stencils to play with. (print it out on card stock)
  2. Start a physical and digital file folder to collect inspiration.
  3. Start simple, build your confidence and success and then get more complex. You can do it!

Folded paper masking stencils for making prints by Linda Germain Printmaking without a press

If you think that you would like the guidance of an instructor, support of an art community and 4 weeks of lessons, then join us in the new online printmaking class – Make Stencils Workshop. Click here for the details. Registration is open now and class starts March 28th.

The skills you master in this class will jumpstart and support all your other printmaking processes. However if you are a beginner this will be a good course for you was well. There will be lots of time for skill development  and practice. I hope you join us.Hand cut masking stencil used with the gelatin plate for printmaking without a press by Linda Germain

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Have you tried Yupo paper for making stencils?

tools / /

I have been playing with new materials and finding printmaking tools that are good for making stencils and some that I just don’t care for.

First let me tell you I never use to like cutting stencils because it seemed to take a long time and I really would rather be pulling prints. But these new  tools are making creating stencils a little easier and more fun.

If you struggle with your exacto  knife then download my new Cutting SKILLS Worksheet by Linda Germain Print it out on copy paper and card stock, then cut exactly on the lines and see what you learn.

Printmaking tools

  1. Yupo paper is a polypropylene material. I got the translucent style and used it to cut traditional hole stencil to use with a stretched screen. Loved it!
  2. Small pointed wood burning tool – worked great when cutting the Yupo stencil.
  3. Sand paper to sand off the burr created by the wood burning tool

    New Printmaking Tools Linda Germain
    Love Yupo paper for stencils, sand paper for removing the burr created by the wood burning tool to cut the stencil
  4. Hot Knife – did not work well for me. Ergonomically the angles were off. And the tip length was too long for me to be comfortable.
  5. Pivoting finger knife was not comfortable to use
  6. Straight finger knife was not at the best angle for me.
    Cutting tools that I did not care for when making stencils for printmaking
    Cutting tools that I did not care for when making stencils for printmaking

    If you would love to benefit from all my mistakes, knowledge and experience with making stencils for mixed media projects then you are just in time.

Registration opened today and you can join us in the 4 week Make Stencils Workshop. Read the details here.

Stencils are the foundation of gelatin printmaking and screen printing. You will complete this class a confident stencil maker ready to make your message clear through the imagery that you make.

Hope to see you in the next class.

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Start Screen Printing this week – Get the Kit

monotype print / /

You can be screen printing this week.

  • Would  you like to add some fine line marks to your gelatin prints?
  • Maybe print some dragonfly cards or
  • Just start exploring thermofax screen printing?

You are in luck. I have an 8 piece starter kit of Thermofax screens ready to ship to you today, and you will be pulling beautiful screen prints later this week.

screen prints that are possible with the thermofax kit by linda germain

Thermofax screen printing is a quick and easy way to experiment with screen printing. There is no need for light boxes, emulsion and high powered spray washers.

It is all done for you.

You will get 8 small screens and access to the videos to show you how to tape off the screen and start printing within just a few minutes.

8 piece Thermofax Screen starter kit with Pulling Screen Prints the online printmaking course with Linda Germain
8 piece Thermofax Screen starter kit

The basic idea in screen printing is that you push/pull ink through tiny holes in a mesh screen. In thermofax screen printing the design is created by “burning” certain areas on the emulsion coated screen. This “burning” of emulsion is all done for you. I do it with my machine.

So the screen comes to you a ready to be taped off and printed with.

If you are new to screen printing, then you may not know how convenient this is.

Trust me, it is a huge time saver and make screen printing accessible to many more folks, who don’t have access to a printmaking studio.

If this is still confusing, then watch the video below and see how easy it is to print with Thermofax screens.

Are you ready to start Thermofax Screen Printing?

Then click the paypal button below and I will ship your kit to you ASAP.

With the kit you will have access to 4 private videos that will:

  • Show you how to prepare the screens
  • Print with the screens
  • Choose substrates to print on
  • Get you started

You will also get information on how to set up your workspace and clean and care for  your new screens.

This kit is no longer available.

If you have any questions please email me, linda@lindagermain.com

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One way to feel like an ARTIST

inspiration / /

Want to feel like an artist?

I believe that the key to feeling like an artist is working like an artist.

You need guided time to work at your craft. Imagine Matisse in his studio or Ansel Adams in the mountains.

7 day idea to photograph shapes to feed your artist self

Are you ready?

Give yourself the gift of time and guidance.

Time is not enough, because you will always have something else competing for your attention. Day job, kids, laundry and all the other bits of life.

Here’s some guidance:

  1. Take photos of shapes for 10 minutes a day for one week. It is about capturing shapes not necessarily great photos
  2. Keep it super simple simple – tie it to something you already do: a time when you are waiting, having your coffee, walking to school, work or the store
  3. Here is the part that will make a big difference.
  4.  Tell a friend that you are going to do it.
  5. This will make the promise to yourself even stronger.

Now simply begin.

Enjoy,

Linda

Want to make stencils like Matisse? GET the FREE Tutorial!
Be More Than a Store bought Stencil User!

Join today and get notice of future classes.

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

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See shapes and shadows for better printmaking

stencils / /

One way to build your shadow seeing skills:

Grab your camera and go on a shadow hunt It helps if it is a sunny day and not high noon. At noontime the shadows are very short. Look up, look down. Look in places that you don’t usually look.

Load them on to your computer and simplify them by switching them into high contrast white and white. Maybe even print one out and cut a stencil.

Build your printmaking skills with seeing shadows

Second way to build your shape seeing skills:

Hang a white sheet in a doorway of a dimly lit room. Shine a bright light on the sheet. Now put things in between the light and the sheet and close to the sheet. This quiets the subject matter. You are no longer distracted by the details and what you think you know.

It would be fun to do this with a kid who likes to strike a pose. I am always more likely to use stencils and images when I have a personal relationship to the subject.

I hope that you try out one of these methods to start to see shapes and shadows more easily.

If you would like to explore printmaking – check out the current online printmaking classes.

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