Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

New Class – 100 Print Project

Gelatin plate print / Linda Germain / February 20, 2020

I am so excited to share the new class that I have created. It is the 100 Print Project.

I think that this gelatin printmaking class will appeal to veteran printmakers and newbies alike. We will use some fundamental design skills, like value and shape to create 100 or more pleasing prints.

I have always believed that the more prints you make the happier you are with the results. And in this 2 week online workshop we will make delicate layers and bold shapes to create a gallery worthy installation of monotype prints.

We will use the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate, water based block printing inks and 5″ x 7″ paper. The combination of these tools works to keep the ink alive and to transfer delicate details to the paper.

If this sounds interesting to you then, read all the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us today.

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Lots of light layers – Gelatin Printing

gelatin print tips / Linda Germain / January 25, 2020

I have been exploring the basics of brayering and layering in gelatin printmaking.

One of the important concepts is to print thin layers from light to dark.

Another way I create interest is to print on only parts of the plate. That allows for lots of crisp colors.

I also think that stencils of different line quality and shape help to create interest.

The most important thing is to print a lot and be willing to experiment.

If you need the recipe to make the glycerin and gelatin plate for gelatin printmaking – get it here.

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Drawing and doodles – Just do it!

drawings / Linda Germain / January 22, 2020

I know that I have said, I don’t like drawing and that is still true. It is not a thing, that I love to do. But it is kind of like exercise, I am really glad I did it when it is over.

Art teachers will tell you that drawing is the foundation of all art making. That can be discouraging if you don’t like to draw or don’t like how you draw.

So here are a couple of thought patterns to get around the resistance to drawing:

Expand your definition of “good” drawing
Embrace scribbles, gestures and line drawing to begin with
Less is more – try simple contour drawings
Cover up a drawing in your sketchbook that really bothers you with collage
Make your drawings “go father”, use them as a printmaking matrix
- a trace monoprint
- a foam relief plate or
- shape for a stencil

Mostly, find a way to trick yourself into liking the drawings that you are doing, so you will be willing to draw more. Then you will natural improve.

Doodles are drawings too!

Have you ever tried “hair sketches “? It can be surprisingly fun. Just draw the hair of people you observe in person, on TV or in a picture. Do it fast and loose and have fun.

Here the flower drawing became and ezscreen for screen printing and the bird is a trace monoprint on rice paper. This way I have given my drawings new life.

So I encourage you to find ways to be happy with your drawings as you build your skills.

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Inspired by a piece of wire

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / January 20, 2020

I found this piece of coated copper wire on the studio floor and liked how easy it was to bend into gentle shapes.

The wire was easy to shape into spirals and wiggly lines. I used some recycled foam produce trays to make a few relief plates.

It is easy to press the wire shape into the foam with a little foot pressure. And before I knew it I had a stack of prints.

It is fun to be in the studio experimenting with tools and making prints. It is a gift of time and discovery that is essential to the creative process.

Hope you get time to try it!

If you are interested in my other tools for foam plate relief printing, then read more in this blog post.

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Notan studies – light and dark balance

stencils / Linda Germain / January 15, 2020

Notan is a Japanese term that means light and dark harmony.

It is a way of simplifying the image to only black and white to render the image as black and white shapes. There are no middle values and no color and textures.

I used the threshold feature in photoshop to reduce this photograph of a vine to just the black and white shapes.

This is another photo that was reduce to its light and dark values. This type of image is great for creating emulsion based screens for screen printing. I love to use the EZscreens for small projects.

High contrast photos work well with the threshold feature to create only black and white images, with no gray values. Then we can use the sun to harden the pre-coated screens and it short time have small screens for lots of mixed media projects.

Today I did a paper cutting notan study. I used a quick sketch that I had of a metal leaf sculpture. I drew the interconnected design on a small piece of black paper and then cut all the pieces out. The glued them like a reflection on to a larger piece of white paper.

I like the simple shapes. An I find that the limited black and white makes a strong impact. And it was easier than I thought to cut out and assemble. Try it!

Simple shapes make great stencils for gelatin printmaking too. If you need the long lasting recipe to make the gelatin and glycerin plate, the click here and get the video instructions.

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