Draw that Tree

inspiration / /

Have you heard of forest bathing? It is a thing. Check it out.

go to the woods for inspiration

My daily woods walks give me peace of mind. I often notice a solo tree deep in the woods.

This connection to nature is essential to my well being. Today, I thought let’s try to draw one of those trees that catch my attention.tree as subject matter

The challenge was intended to be fun and informative.

draw a tree

I really looked at the tree and tried to capture the way the branches drooped and the spaces between them. I tried pen, charcoal, watercolor and pastels. It was a process of looking and making marks in response to the tree.

I encourage you to try walking in the woods and then draw a tree. Maybe it will inspire your art making process. More inspiring ideas.

 

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Change Perspective

monotype print / /

The human eye can choose focus amazingly fast. I walk through the woods/world and see things that inspire me.

woods walk for ideas

Then when I try to take a photo to capture what I see – it is not the same.

But I don’t give up.

  • I take lots of pictures.
  • I change the angle.
  • I get closer.
  • I wait for better light

woods for inspiration

I think this persistence pays off with a pleasing picture every so often. This idea can apply to printmaking and other types of mark making.

Gelatin Prints by Linda Germain

So I encourage you to be persistent and change your perspective. And eventually the magic will happen.

If you want to explore gelatin printmaking, get the FREE recipe to make the plate and let the fun begin.

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Tyvek® stencil technique can be used to make framed art

masking stencils / /

I know the upcoming online printmaking class is all about hand printing cards with Tyvek® stencils and the gelatin plate, but you can use the technique to make prints to frame.

gelatin prints made with tyvek stencil

These prints range in size from 8″ x 10″ to 4″ x 4″. I like working with these sizes because they are easy to frame and store.

framed gelatin plate prints

Small sized prints are easy to group and display too. I think they are a great size for gift giving too.

I hope you check out the details about Hand Printing Cards with  Tyvek® stencils.

It is:

  • 3 day class
  • 15 short videos
  • life time access
  • instructor and group support.

Happy Printing!

display gelatin prints

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Look Back with Curiosity

inspiration / /

I take a lot of photos. I use my phone and download them to my computer. I use Lightroom to index them.rye on the rocks fall

Captured these red berries and the family beach cottage as the season was coming to a close.

There can be 5,000 to 7,000 photos a year. Most of them are of my printmaking and the process and its inspiration.trail ride with family

Smiles came to my face when I remembered the trail ride we took about a year ago.

So to scan through last year’s images is kind of like a visual diary. It is fun and informative and I encourage you to give it a try.

Halloween shopping with Mario and Luigi

Happy Halloween shopping with Mario and Luigi.

MORE of when I looked back over this year:

drum leaf books by linda germain

I made a lot of drum leaf bound books last year.

gelatin print with hand stamped marks

I explored mountainous layers and hand stamping with wood type.

clay creations by linda germain

I got addicted to playing with clay!

inspired by the beach

I went to the beach in the late fall for fresh sea air, maybe I could do that now.

early December snow

We had some early December snow. Capturing Shadows.

I played with hand written fonts.

I played with hand written fonts.

I hope the look back lifts you up.

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