Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Line drawings and Relief prints

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / May 6, 2020

The soft plate relief printing class available now. This low tech method is an easy way to make printing plate from bold line drawing.

The idea is to make recessed lines in the plates. Ink sits on the high spots of the surface and the lines print in white.

You can use a variety of tools to make the lines in the soft foam plate:

pens and pencils
nails
embossing tools and
sturdy found objects like twigs

Different tools will create marks with different characteristic. Finding new mark making tools is part of the fun of this method of printmaking without a press.

You can combine these small plate into prints of varying sizes. I like to make plates that can fit together like a puzzle.

If you are interested in learning to make and print with these foam plates, then join us in the online class, Soft Plate Relief Printing.

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Gelatin printing and screen printing

artist book / Linda Germain / May 2, 2020

I am in my studio and thinking about all the printmakers around the world who are printing too! It is Print Day in May 2020.

I made a tiny 2020 relief stamp yesterday from a small chunk of an eraser. I think I will use it on some prints today.

I had planned on making some 8″ x 10″ gelatin prints on this international day of printmaking. But I also made a stack of monotype printed pages that could be formed into a book.

Change of plans! I am going to keep it loose and fun!

I over printed the pages with yellow and gold gelatin plate impressions
I used some thermofax screens and EZscreens to add more marks to the pages
I gelatin printed some new papers for the book covers

Screen printed marks can add such detail. I am not sure how the book is going to come together. It is warm so the inks are drying quickly, so I think I could finish today.

Printing a great way to spend the day.

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Print day in May

Gelatin plate print / Linda Germain / May 1, 2020

Tomorrow is Print Day in May!

This is a global day of printmaking. Join us and print and post on social media. Use the hashtags:

#printdayinmay
#printdayinmay2020
and special sponsors hashtags to win prizes

I will be gelatin printing and thinking of the international group of printmakers celebrating our craft.

I hope you join us. I look forward to seeing your prints on instagram or Facebook.

Two easy ways to gelatin print tomorrow

If you already have a gelatin plate, then gather your inks, paper and stencils and print!
If you don’t have a gelatin plate, then make the simple gelatin and water plate today and then you will be ready to print tomorrow. Get the gelatin and water recipe and a free starter class below.

Get the FREE mini Gelatin Printmaking Course Now!

start making gelatin prints today

Use what you already have, one box of gelatin and start to play today. You can do it!

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

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Find what motivates you – draw + print

trace monoprint / Linda Germain / April 8, 2020

I noticed this note on my wall today.

It is a note about my process and how I think about printmaking. It really helps to have a stimulating and personal subject matter. Even a “special” found tool or mark making instrument can keep me printing for hours.

Secondly, I am reminded that my experimental approach to making prints without a press is not a straight line to success, but more like an ever widening spiral, with plenty of ups and downs and “failures.”

The third note:

simple
raw
authentic

is to remind me to embrace the idea that less is more. Sometimes that means fewer marks and and clearer focus.

I am thinking about using “studio stuff” as a subject matter for my next series of Trace Monoprints for the See, Draw, Print – online printmaking class.

Then I could work the prints into a small book. This will take a bit of planning so I have pages that can easily be bound. Last year I used the drum leaf binding to make a series of trace monoprints.

Today, I explored using a perfect binding with single sheet 5 ” x 7″ prints. I really wanted that form of binding to work, but I don’t think it is very durable.

Generally, I find fresh ideas and motivation when I am walking. I put a reminder note on my phone and test out my ideas when I get back to the studio.

Today’s ideas:

New way to use masking stencil – did not work as imagined
Use perfect binding to bind 5 x 7 prints – ok but I am not in love.
Find tools to make trace monoprint landscape – in progress

I share this with the hope to inspire you to act on your creative impulses and to be aware of what motivates you.

If you are interested in learning to use your line drawings to make trace monoprints, then join us in the online printmaking class, SEE, draw, Print – class start soon. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Tools to build your drawing skills

drawings / Linda Germain / April 2, 2020

Drawing is a skill that:

can be learned
can be practiced
can have an expanded definition of what is possible and pleasing

I think some folks love to draw and others see it as a chore or challenge. I have a couple of tricks that I use to make it less of a chore.

#1 Expand your idea of what a good drawing is

If your skills are not where you want them to be just yet, then try to be gentle with yourself as you train your eye, hand and brain to all work together.

Look at line drawings by Matisse, Picasso, Ellsworth Kelly or other famous master. Hopefully you will notice a raw, authentic beauty in the characteristics of their line drawing. Check out my pinterest board of Master sketches.

#2 Use tracing as a tool

With some hesitation, I suggest doing some tracing studies. Please use them as a tool and not a constant crutch. If it becomes a crutch that you use all the time, then your skills may stagnate. But if you can use it with restraint it may help you to see.

Try the tracing study of a Matisse drawing that I suggest in this tutorial. Remember that the goal is not a perfect copy, but to train your eyes to more accurately record on paper what you see in 3 dimensions.

#3 Draw a bit each day and keep it fun

Fun, quick and easy is important. And your daily practice will pay off. Sometimes, I have done quick little line drawings in a notebook and found it months later and been pleasantly surprised by the memories the drawing evokes.

Give yourself a reason to draw. My reason is so that I have imagery for making printing plates, templates and stencils for other printmaking processes.

If you are interested in using your drawing more and learning how to make trace monoprints, then check out the details of the online class, DRAW into Print.

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