This may take a little planning and determination. But I suggest you let some loved ones know you are thinking of them by sending them a hand printed card.

If you are a gelatin printmaker, then I am sure that you have pile of prints that could be cut and cropped into a few cards.

Things you will need:

• addresses for your family and friends
• envelopes
• stamps
• pile of prints
• scissors
• glue

I often like to make a viewfinder to help me crop my prints into a pleasing design. It is easy to make a viewfinder. Cut a hole in a manilla file folder the size you want to cut your print down to.

Then trace inside the viewfinder and trim your print.

Glue the print to card stock and sign.

I love to use fun and pretty stamps.

Hope you enjoy this process.

Need ideas for getting out of an art slump – read this post.

Simple does not mean boring or even easy.

In the upcoming class SIMPLIFY we will use gelatin printmaking techniques in simplified ways to make prints with impact and clarity.

This online weekend class is for you if you would like to:

• Create a pile of gelatin prints
• Apply limits color, size and tools to gain knowledge and insight
• Pull strong lovely detailed impressions
• Learn to layer your marks

We will be using the glycerin gelatin and water plate. You can get the instructions on how to make the plate here.

I like to use this plate in combination with the Speedball water based block printing inks. The ink stays alive and workable for a long period of time and permits the pick up of very delicate impressions.

Even if you can’t join us in this class, think about creating some boundaries to challenge your printmaking in a new direction.

You could limit tools, or colors or number of layers???? Try it see what happens.

To learn more about, Simplify – powerful gelatin printmaking, read the details on the workshop page.

I am inspired by line drawings that say a lot with minimal marks. I love Ellsworth Kelly’s flower drawings.

And Picasso’s one liners are inspiring. They capture the essence of a thing with seemingly little effort. I do think the “little effort” is a misnomer.

These two guys were master artists, who must have made millions of drawings. Their ability to say so much with simple contour line drawings was developed over a life time.

I have been playing with line drawings of shadow shapes that I see everyday in the woods.

I always try to create line elements in my gelatin prints.

Two favorite tools that I use to create line elements in my gelatin prints are very flat grasses and weeds and thin yarns and threads.

If you would like to explore using these tools to create lovely gelatin prints, then join us in the new online class, SIMPLIFY – gelatin printmaking workshop.

Gelatin printmaking is fun and so easy to get started. You just need a few items:

1. Gelatin Plate or purchased gel plate
2. Ink or paint
3. Brayer or roller
4. Paper

I think the best way to begin is to just play with abandon and see what happens. Let go of expectations and just experience what the materials can do.

Then after having your own unique experience, try the tips or advice of other gelatin printmakers.

If you are at that stage, then here are some of my tips for improving your gelatin prints:

1. 4 tips to make gelatin printmaking more satisfying – when working with paper
2. Inking the brayer thinly and evenly can take some time – Help is here.
3. 12 ways to care for your tools, so they work when you want them to.

If you would like to SIMPLIFY  your gelatin prints, then join us in the upcoming online printmaking class. Read all the details on the workshop page.