Do you makes these mistakes when printmaking?

gelatin print tips / Linda Germain / March 4, 2016

Mistake #1

You think you need the perfect printmaking:

tool,
studio or
idea

before you get started making prints? If you pull monotype prints on the gelatin plate, then I suggest letting go of those limiting thoughts.

Quick Fix: Leave your brayers, paper, ink and gelatin plate out on the table so you can jump in and play for just 20 minutes.

Mistake # 2

Do you try to plan out every mark when making monotypes?

Quick Fix: Give yourself 10 sheets of paper, no more than 5 tools and 3 colors. Begin printing and embrace if you think it then try it. Even if you just try out this approach for a few printing sessions, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Mistake # 3

You assume a “failed” print should just end up in the trash.

Quick Fix: Wait a few days and if you think the print is still not worthy then unevenly brayer white ink or paint over most of the surface. Let it dry completely. Now you have a piece of paper with some rich history and a new beginning for the print.

I hope you embrace one of these ideas and find it helpful. Need a class? CHECK out the Printmaking Workshops.

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Don’t let Drawing Stop YOU – Make Art anyway

screen printing / Linda Germain / February 27, 2016

Often we buy into the art school story, “First, you need to learn to draw.”

This works for folks who love to draw. But not for us!

Let’s find other ways to Make Beautiful Art, that is still uniquely you.

Consider some of the work of Matisse, Picasso and Warhol.

Matisse did huge paper cut-outs.

Picasso used his ability to see things differently to create cubist portraits.

Warhol manipulated photos to create his famous screen prints.

They moved beyond drawing to create new methods, based on how they saw the world.

Here is my offer to you.

If you want to breathe new life into your art.

Pause and really see the everyday in a new way.
Grab a camera and play with filters or
Make paper stencils like Matisse and print with them

If you want to give the Matisse style stencils a try, then fill in the box below and I will send you the free tutorial below and get started today.

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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Printmaking method – use at home without a press

stencils / Linda Germain / February 24, 2016

You may be surprised by this printmaking method.
It may be so obvious and simple that you will do a forehead slap.
It may give you a new found freedom.

What is this printmaking method?

I am suggesting – stencil printing….

Yes if you pause and look around you may notice stencil printmaking in these projects:

Printmakers pull screen prints
Graffiti and street artist tag box cars
Fiber and quilt artist create fabric and projects
Pre-schoolers make pressed marks
Interior designers cover walls, and furniture
Cities paint creative crosswalks
Mixed media artist layer paper like crazy

Stencils are used to block the transfer of ink and to create shape.

These super simple stencils were inspired by the cut-outs of Matisse. Both parts could be use to block or transfer ink. I call the one on the left the traditional hole stencil. Ink is gently transferred through the hole.

The stencil on the right, I call a masking stencil, because generally it is used to block or mask the transfer of ink. However, when printing with the gelatin plate I sometimes use this style of stencil to transfer ink as well. See this video

Would you like to dedicate some time to developing your stencil making skills?
Learn to see shapes and shadows in a whole new way?
Develop stronger design skills?

I am working on a new class the Make Stencils Workshop. If you would like to be one of the first to know the details about this awesome class, then join the interest list below and I will keep you posted.

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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Who is your favorite ART supplier?

tools / Linda Germain / February 21, 2016

I was thinking about my students and their need to buy specialized art supplies. Some of my international students have to get creative when it comes to finding glycerin and water based inks from their local suppliers.

Though I don’t order lots of supplies, I do think it is important to support art vendors who have good prices and great customer service.

ART Suppliers I have used:

All Art Supplies Wholesale: They do online sales and they are local to me, here in Massachusetts. I They often have what I need at a pretty competitive price. Sometimes I have to watch out for things that are more low volume sales – Like Golden screen printing medium. They have been great when I needed to buy supplies for local schools. I can also call and they will check the stock to be sure that the item is there before I drive down.
Dick Blick: Usually has the water based inks that I like to use with the gelatin plate. They have the speedball and the Dick Blick brand. They don’t do some international shipping which does not help my international people. I am not sure about their customer service.
I have a painter friend who loves the customer service of Cheap Joes Art Stuff.
For miscellaneous stuff I love Extras for Creative Reuse – a recycling center for all kinds of materials. I get lots of paper and foam core there. So if you are not in Eastern Massachusetts, then I suggest looking for a similar type of membership based, recycling store that serves the creative community.
Staples – office supply store is a good source for cover stock and inexpensive paper for making monotypes.
Sometimes I use the weekly coupons to pick up cutting blades, mat board, paint brushes or other last minute art supplies, from places like, ACMoore, Michaels,or Hobby Lobby. or JoAnn’s Fabric.

I am curious what is your go to Art Supply Store.

What stores do you avoid?
What store the best price, selection and customer service?

Share links and stories in the comments. Let’s support each other in finding the best art supplier for our needs.

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3 steps to Create Artwork worthy of Framing

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 19, 2016

I encourage you to try these 3 steps to creating monotypes or mixed media art that is worthy of framing, selling or gifting.

First – Make a lot of prints.

I often say if I pull 20 prints and 2 are awesome then that is a win. You may be aware of the old art school story about the ceramics professor who gave one group of students the assignment to make one perfect pot and to another group the assignment was to make as many pots as possible. Which group made the best pots? The second group.

Why is more better?

Each time you make print you have an opportunity to learn something about tools, composition and your story. The more opportunities you have to learn, then the more you learn. You build visual, mental and physical skills every time you pull a print.

Second – Give yourself and the piece some space.

Wait a day or two before you judge your work and determine whether it is done or needs something more. Then pin the potentials on the wall and ask:

What do I notice?
What is working?
Where does my eye go?
Is the viewer drawn in?
Can one or two marks make it pop/complete?

And realize not every print is worthy of completion. Sometimes you learn something from your ugly prints and just begin again.

Third – Play with framing Materials

Take a small precut mat and use it like view finder over sections of your prints
See if you can find a pleasing composition
When you find it, then crop and frame the piece
Try placing some prints in ready made frames and mats
Try very small and very large like in a museum
Have fun with this. You will be growing your compositional skills and you won’t even know it.

Check out the current workshops.

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