Tweak your found stencils – gelatin printmaking

monotype print / /

One of the things that I love about gelatin printmaking is printing with found stencils, like weeds and ferns.

find stencils in cracks in the sidewalk

What I find changes with the season. I look for very flat, flexible, delicate and strong. Weeds are often stronger than cultivated plants. They have to be to survive!

Spring greens are usually tender and weak

Here are my guidelines for collecting grasses, weeds and botanicals for gelatin printmaking:

  1. Flat is very important. Grasses can be trimmed or thinned out to make it flatter. Better negative space. Gently press between books or Plexiglas to flatten.
  2. Strong means they will last at least one day of printing. And they are easier to handle and position on the plate. But if you can only find flimsy spring weeds – give it a try.
  3. Be aware that they can cut into the plate or shed seeds. Usually it is easy to clean up with water and a rag.
  4. Dried leaves are usually too brittle, but thin dried grasses are usually great.
  5. You can preserve strong green botanicals with 1 part glycerin to 2 parts water. How to here.
  6. You can store strong grasses and ferns for many months. I use, phone books, file folders and cookie sheet trays.

Delicate grasses make great stencils

Hopefully, you will now look at some weeds and grasses with a new eye for potential art making materials. I always find new treasures whether I am in the woods or on the city street.

make prints with botanicals

Check out the current workshops and explore gelatin printmaking with found stencils and more.

Tweak your found stencils – gelatin printmaking Read More »

Print Day in May – This Saturday

monotype print / /

May 1st is the global Print Day in May this year! I encourage you to print and share your passion on social media to celebrate printmaking.

It is easy to do.

  1. Print
  2. Share images with the hashtag #PrintdayinMay
  3. You can register as a participant here – https://printdayinmay.com
  4. If you use special hashtags you are eligible to win sponsors prizes more details here https://printdayinmay.com/2021-sponsors/

simplify gelatin plate monotype

So just have fun making prints and share with others. Maybe print with a friend.

I will be printing with the idea of Simplifying to make more powerful gelatin plate monotype prints.

simplified gelatin prints by linda germain

I list some fun printmaking ideas for you and your friends in this post.

Enjoy!

Print Day in May – This Saturday Read More »

Failure informs

artist book, collage, inspiration, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / /

Every time things don’t work out as I had hoped, it is an opportunity for me to learn something.

mixed media sketchbook linda germain

I could learn:

  • I don’t really like that technique
  • I need more instructions
  • I could use some practice
  • Am I using the right tools?
  • Maybe I need more time
  • Is it possible with the way that I am approaching it?

Accordion book with gelatin prints

I could ask those kinds of questions about almost any situation in life, art, business, family or well being.

collage poem by linda germain

And I think for me it is easier to fail, and asks those questions in the art area of my life. For some reason, I have let it be a process of discovery that includes lots of learning through “failing.”

make lots of gelatin prints

I have said it before, but if I get two out of 10 prints that I love, then I consider that a success. And it usually takes learning something from those other 8 prints to get those prints that I love.

So it is important that I enjoy the process and not just the end result.

sketchbooks by Linda Germain

I have been doing stuff in sketchbooks lately. And I realized I wanted the end result faster, I wanted to finish the sketchbook. Hmmm? This was not me loving the process.

I tried different approaches:

  • Made smaller books
  • Tried different book forms
  • Carried it with me
  • Allowed myself to write, doodle, collage, paint, print, what ever

I have not found my happy sketchbook practice yet, but I am learning a lot in the process.

make gelatin prints into books Linda Germain

If you would like some guidance and support in Simplifying your gelatin prints, then join us in the online workshop –SIMPLIFY- make powerful gelatin prints. Get all the details on the workshop page.

Failure informs Read More »

Things I have learned lately – Making ART

drawings, inspiration, mark making tools / /

I recently participated in Karen Abend’s Sketchbook Revival. It was a free event with 28 generous teachers sharing ideas for making art in our sketchbooks.

sketch booking by the lake

I also did a class with Lewis Rossignol through Carla Sonheim Presents.

draw more and enjoy the process

So I have taken in a lot of information and ideas about using a sketchbook. And I am starting to appreciate my style of drawing and mark making.

doodle your message

Let me share a few ideas that motivate me:

  1. From Danny Gregory – Use up those art supplies – don’t let them be precious
  2. From Carla Sonheim – Look more at the things I want to draw – notice the shapes, lines, etc
  3. John Muir Laws – Count and observe and record like a scientist, in a curious way.
  4. Play with sticks and ink from Helen Wells
  5. I am willing to sit and listen for my daily message and write it in my sketchbook – thanks to Jessica Swift.
  6. I love to “mess up” my sketchbook as encouraged by Lewis Rossignol.

sticks to make marks

If you are looking for support and encouragement and an online printmaking class, then check out the current classes.

make marks in your sketchbook

Things I have learned lately – Making ART Read More »

Build your design skills – gelatin printmaking

Gelatin plate print, masking stencils, techniques, tools / /

Gelatin printmaking is fast and gives you immediate feedback about composition and design skills. That is one reason that I love the process.

gelatin prints by linda germain

Art school teaches us to make thumbnail drawings and plan our composition first. I just don’t have the patience for that approach.

Gelatin plate prints by Linda Germain

I like the trial and error approach of making lots of prints. And over time my design skills have grown and I had fun in the process. And I want to share that approach and what I have learned with you in the online printmaking workshops.

Gel monotype print by Linda Germain

We will create growth and success by:

  • Getting to know your masking stencils and how to get strong impressions
  • Limiting the colors so we can create prints with a strong range of value
  • Using a small standard size paper to get a dynamic division of space

These boundaries will give you the structure to support new understanding of the tools and how the impressions are created. This should create success and happiness!

Make gelatin prints

I hope you will check out the online printmaking classes.

Gelatin Monotype print

Build your design skills – gelatin printmaking Read More »