Value matters – Printmaking

Gelatin plate print, mark making, monotype print, stencils, techniques / /

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.

gelatin print with hand stamped marks

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

mountains scape by linda germain

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.

range of value

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?

abstract landscape gelatin prints

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 / /

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

Stencils from magazines

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.

book as photo subject

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:

  1. Words – for found poems and collages
  2. Fonts – for drawing
  3. Photos for drawing references
  4. Thumbnails of larger pictures – composition ides
  5. Illustrations – for drawing ideas
  6. Figures and silhouettes for stencil making

poems from magazines

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.

origami box from magazines

 

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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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