Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Where to do find source material?

inspiration / Linda Germain / November 5, 2021

Sometimes, I just stare at my phone. Which app will fill the moment?

Hmm, that is kind of scary to me. Looking to some “curated” system to entertain me in the moment. So I have created a way to inspire myself with my own photos.

It may sound silly but I scroll through my camera roll instead of Instagram or Facebook. I am in charge or what I see and I am reminded of my process and success.

I have annotated a few images with words and put them in a favorites folder.

I often use cast shadows of grasses and leaves in my drawing practice.

A quick scroll through my images reminds me of the fun I have had over the last few weeks. And how much art work I have produced.

I offer this idea to you.

Maybe your life,

your environment,
your family, and
your own camera roll can be a source of art making ideas.

Try it!

One way I have used photos as source material is to make stencil. Check out this blog post.

Where to do find source material? Read More »

Time to admire – gelatin printmaking

gelatin print tips, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / Linda Germain / October 13, 2021

Gelatin Printmaking can be fast and furious. The process lends itself to pulling lots of prints and layers with minimal preparation.

It is easy to get lost in the process.

I often tell my students that it can be like a roller coaster of ups and downs. I may pull several pleasing impressions to be followed by several ugly prints.

To enjoy the roller coaster ride of gelatin printmaking:

Know ahead of time that there will be prints you like and others you don’t
Focus on the things you like, rather than the problems
Take time to admire your successes. Pin it to the wall, stand back and enjoy.

Another tool I use to create success in my printmaking, is to embrace the 80/20 rule. If I get 2 outstanding prints out of 1o then I consider it a success. Those 8 other prints inform and create space for the magical pieces that I really love.

If you want to create more pleasing gelatin prints, then join us in the online class, Monochromatic Mountains. Read all the details on the workshop page.

Time to admire – gelatin printmaking Read More »

3 reasons to take an online art class

inspiration, mark making, mixed media printmaking / Linda Germain / October 11, 2021

I love taking art classes in person and online.

When I need some inspiration for my art practice taking a class often helps me generate new ideas. Often the class is a new subject or technique. Or sometimes I take a class because I love the teacher and her philosophy stimulates my process.

Recently, in person options have been limited, so online art classes have been my choice.

Online workshops are great because:

I have access to the lessons right from the comfort of my studio. No travel, traffic or parking challenges. I have all my tools readily available and I don’t have to pack up or lug supplies to the workshop location.
More bang for my buck. Online classes are often much less expensive than an in person class. Also I enjoy the benefits of feedback and encouragement from a wider group of classmates. Influences of an international group of students in online classes is unique.
I don’t have to take notes or worry about missing key skills. Most online workshops are downloadable or have lifetime access. So I can watch videos and do lessons over and over again. And each time I learn something new from the same material.

I hope I have encouraged you to check out online art classes to inspire and support your art practice.

If you are interested check out the current online art classes that I am offering.

3 reasons to take an online art class Read More »

Value matters – Printmaking

Gelatin plate print, mark making, monotype print, stencils, techniques / Linda Germain / October 5, 2021

Sometimes, I look at a print that I am working on and feel that something is missing. I need something to make it pop or something to pull it all together.

Often I can do that by adding a very dark mark or a very light mark.

Value, the range of light to dark is often over looked. Color is easier to see so it often gets more attention.

Some painters do grey scale “drafts” before they paint with color.

One way to check for range of value is to take a black and white photo of your print. Do you see some very light areas as well as some very dark marks?

Another way I check for range of value is to squint at the print. If it blurs into one soft medium mass, then I need to look for ways to add dark darks or light lights.

If you want to build your skills for creating prints with a strong range of value, then join us in the upcoming online class, check out the current printmaking classes.

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Magazines and books – sources of inspiration

altered books, book arts, drawings, inspiration, mixed media printmaking / Linda Germain / September 28, 2021

Once or twice a year I get a stack of old magazines from a library or other recycling source.

It is a treat to feast on the pictures and text. I cut stencils and roll pages into mark making tools, make collages and more.

I go through the magazines several different times for collage and drawing projects.

cut up book pages for collage — cut out word poems

Parts of the magazine that inspire me:

Words – for found poems and collages
Fonts – for drawing
Photos for drawing references
Thumbnails of larger pictures – composition ides
Illustrations – for drawing ideas
Figures and silhouettes for stencil making

So go to your library or recycling center and get a stack of magazines and make stuff. The images and words that you find are a jumping off place for your own uniques expression. Twist, crop and rearrange the words and images to make something new.

Make some origami boxes – There is a free tutorial here.

Magazines and books – sources of inspiration Read More »