Explore potential marks

monotype print / /

One printmaking assignment in Art School might be to see how many different kinds of marks you can make on a relief style block.

sampler marks foam relief plate

This would usually be a carving process with wood, linoleum or rubber. I played with the assignment to make the sampler blocks above with soft foam plates.

woodblock printing tools

I think I like the assignment, because it focuses on exploration and discovery. There is no pressure to create an end product.

relief plate prints

But in the end, the marks can be used to create texture and value in other wise simple impressions.

If you would like to explore this low tech method of relief printing, the read the details about the upcoming, online workshop and join us.

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Masking stencil combined with soft foam plates

foam plate printmaking, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking / /

I think a combination of different quality of marks often creates a more interesting print.

soft foam plate relief prints

Foam plate relief printing often creates solid white line kind of mark. You can create variety in the line quality by drawing the plates with different kinds of tools.

In the print above I used a pen, pen cap and found weeds to make the foam plates on the left. But to create the bolder marks on the right I combined a solid plate with “masking stencils.” I used plant material for the lower right image and cut paper stencils to create the shapes on the upper right side.

masking stencils for printmaking without a press

Masking stencils like those shown above are not usually used in relief printing. But if they are super flat they can be combined with a plain unmarked foam plate with pleasing results.

Foam plate monoprint on paper - Linda Germain

I thought of this combination of materials, because as a gelatin printmaker I have stacks and stacks of masking stencils.

So as you work on creating your mixed media prints be open to combining processes and materials in new and unconventional ways.

Multi color Foam relief print Linda Germain

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Relief Print with Soft Plates

foam plate printmaking / /

Relief printing with soft foam plates makes printmaking accessible to most everyone.

foam plate printmaking

You can easily make a stack of plates with a wide range of marks and then start printing and layering to create unique prints.

foam plates for relief printmaking

You can combine several plates to make larger prints.

monoprint with foam relief plates

I have even printed on fabric swatches and combined the prints to make a quilt.

foam plate printing on fabric

I love finding new ways to make interesting marks in the foam. I am always hunting for tools.

relief sampler blocks

It is fun to make these sampler blocks of different textures and patterns. You can learn a lot about what works to make strong impressions in the foam.

soft foam plate relief prints by linda germain

Today, I even played with making tiny little stamps that I could ink with a stamp pad and print in my mark making journal.

tiny foam stamps

If you would like to make a pile of printing plates and explore foam plate relief printing, then read all the details about the online workshop and join us.

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Circle back to the woods

fabric prints, foam plate printmaking, inspiration, mark making tools / /

I stopped walking in the woods for the last few weeks, because I found a tick attached to my neck and I had stayed on the trail.

trees inspire printmaking

But today, I went back to my old trail in the woods by the lake and was so supported by the energy of the place. I had let that little bug, fear and frustration stop me from going on my “healing” walks.

lake walks for inspiration

I shared the trail with a big dear and a quiet blue heron and plenty of shadows.

shadows for drawing reference

I bring that good energy back to the studio and get more done.

shadow shape leaves

I always find tools and inspiration in the woods. Different seasons offer different tools. Currently I am looking for strong twigs and weeds to use in the soft plate relief class, starting soon.

soft relief plates

This is a low tech way to make relief style plates without needing to carve your design. You can use the process to print on paper or fabric.

mud cloth style printed fabric

Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page. And start collecting tools and inspiration!

 

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Excited about Back to school sales

mark making tools, tools / /

I love it when the Back to School sales hit the local stores. I like to stock up on:

  • composition notebooks
  • erasers
  • Glue
  • scissors and more

round stamps carved from erasers

This year I am hoping to find some novelty erasers in geometric shapes. I like to carve simple designs into the erasers. I found the basic pink eraser at the Dollar Tree Store and have carved quite a few fun little stamps.

stamps made from pink erasers

I am not wishing summer away, just looking forward to some new and inexpensive art supplies. I encourage you to check out the back to schools sales in your area and see if you find some interesting art supplies.

In this post, I list a few more supplies that I like to stock up on. Happy printing!

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