Thinking about tools for printmaking without a press

mark making tools, tools / /

Today I am thinking about tools.  Do your tools create freedom of expression for you?Mock xray cyanotype gel print

Let’s keep it fun. Sometimes the most convenient tool is your own hand. More ideas in this post.

100 print project

My most favorite tools are found weeds, leaves, twigs and grasses. These are often very flat and fragile. They don’t last forever, but they can make lovely delicate impressions. Read how to preserve ferns in this post.

brayers for printmaking

For sure the most important tool in printmaking with out a press is your brayer. I like the soft rubber brayers made by speedball and my favorite size is 3″. I often print with easily washable water base inks, which are kind to the life of the brayer. If you use acrylic paint, be careful to not let the paint dry on your brayers. More tips on brayers in this post.

Finally, the question is to stock up on supplies or to just buy what I need? Full discussion in this post.

I like to use every last bit of ink in the tube.

ink in tubes

Want to make and use your tools in new ways? Check out the current online classes being offered.

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Look back and move forward

inspiration / /

One way to fill the well of inspiration and creativity maybe to scroll through images from 5 years ago.

yoga on a paddle board

I take about 6000 pictures a year. Most of them are about my art process. I use Lightroom to index the images.

alnoba with art class

I scrolled through 2016 and I discovered:

  • I was living in a huge warehouse loft
  • I walked in the city daily
  • I went to the museum a few times
  • I bought a car and paddleboard
  • I attended 2 in person art classes
  • I participated in 3 online classes

woodblock type

Those photos and memories gave me some ideas about what might be missing from my current activities.

  • Take more art classes
  • Find ways to be with other artists
  • Find ways to get to the Museum a few times

iPad drawing

So you might want to try this image review, if you want ideas on “new” habits, actions, or activities to your art practice. If you want to take more art classes too, then check out the current online printmaking classes that are being offered.

artists book by Linda Germain

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Go back to your sketchbook

artist book, inspiration, relief prints / /

I have been using a sketchbook a lot more in the past year. It is quite satisfying to fill one up.

sketch booking by the lake

Sometimes I get too focused on finishing up a sketchbook. They end up on a shelf or in a box.Pamphlet stitched books

Then I remembered that they can be used as source material for more drawings and prints. So this may be obvious to you, but it is a new idea for me, to use the original sketches as reference to make more drawings.

sketchbook

So get out some of those old sketchbooks and draw! Some of these doodles and drawings make even inspire printing plates or stencils. Keep it fun!

foam plates for relief printing

If you are interested in relief printing with foam plates, then check out the details on the workshop page and join us in the Soft Plate Relief Printing class. This online class starts soon.

 

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Shadow and shapes for drawing

inspiration, masking stencils, tools / /

You know that part of my practice is to go to the woods for inspiration. I love to capture cast shadows and use them as a drawing reference.

shadows and drawing practice

Using the photo as reference seems to help me to see shapes instead of leaves and branches.

shadow shape leaves

I do the outline drawing one day and come back and fill the shadow shape in with black paint on another day.

I hope this inspired you to look for shadow shapes to draw. Sometimes I have to take a lot of shadow pictures before I get one that is good for reference. Got to love our phones and digital cameras.

Sometimes I use shadow shapes to make stencils for gelatin printmaking.

Happy Printing!

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