Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Go with the Flow – gelatin printmaking

Gelatin plate print / Linda Germain / March 18, 2020

Sometimes, I go to the workbench with a goal or expectation. And even after all these years of gelatin printing, sometimes I just have to let go of intended outcomes.

Gelatin Printmaking is a monotype printmaking process, meaning that every print is one of a kind. I can pull prints that are similar or use the same stencils, but they will never be exactly the same.

That is what I love about gelatin printmaking. It is this process of working with the same stencils and tools over and over again that supports the “happy accidents”.

The “accidents” actually are possible, because the printmaker is willing to learn, to risk and to discover along the way. If you have not tried gelatin printmaking yet, then consider my FREE mini-course.

Happy Printing!

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Use what you have

mark making tools / Linda Germain / March 17, 2020

As mixed media artists we collect things.

We see the potential in the unwanted and cast off.

I need to remind myself to “use what I have” every once in a while. Have you ever surprised yourself by making a delicious soup, when there was “no food” in the kitchen.

When I glance around my studio I see:

I have plenty of time
I have many tables and plenty of space
Stencils, paper, prints and stamping tools
Printers, computers
Window to the street
Dad for company

Surely there is no need to shop for more stuff.

One challenge that I love to give myself is to use what I already have. So I think I will take some time and sort through my space and stuff to find a focus for my next project.

What do you think? Could you find your next art project by examining what you already have?

Try it!

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Walk to support your creativity

inspiration / Linda Germain / March 16, 2020

I am so grateful for the short walks that break up my day at the studio.

Sometimes I just go around the block trying to get a little fresh air and sunshine. Often that is just enough to clear my mind.

Sometimes, I find a rusty treasure. That I use to stain paper and fabric.

Other times, I see shadows and shapes that inspire stencils for printmaking.

I will pick up weeds and twigs to use to make printing plate.

So I highly recommend taking a walk to inspire your printmaking practice.

Just walk out your studio door and see what happens
Go to the woods or beach before you even head to the studio
Go at a comfortable pace without expectation

Enjoy!

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Dad asks – What are you going to do with all this stuff?

Gelatin plate print / Linda Germain / March 5, 2020

I have been working on creating the 100 Print Project class for a while and I have made lots of prints. My studio is in my dad’s machine shop.

With hundreds of prints spread over several walls and tables, Dad asked, “What are you doing with all this stuff?”

Great question!

I am not sure. I really love the process of creating prints and classes.

I am encouraged by seeing the hundred or so prints on my studio wall.

Working this way gives me a feeling of cohesion in my work. It is also very easy to frame, display all these 5″ x 7″ prints.

I was encouraged by the early collage installation of Rex Ray to hang all my prints on the studio walls as an installation.

Ideas for what to do with these 100+ prints:

Look for a gallery to have an exhibit
Frame a few in easy standard size frames
Mat them to 8″ x 10″
Sort them into sets
Just enjoy them for a while
Store them in a small box
Put them in handmade portfolios

I am hopeful for this project. In my early days of gelatin printing, I played and printed a lot. I am still playing and printing, but now I feel like I have a cohesive body of work that I would like to do something with.

If you would like to create 100+ gelatin plate monotype prints with a little support, then check out the details of the 100 Print Project Class, an online printmaking workshop.

Happy Printing!

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Support Serendipity – gelatin printmaking

techniques / Linda Germain / March 3, 2020

Gelatin printmaking is a monotype process that is part planning and part happy accidents. The prints are truly one of a kind impressions.

My approach to gelatin plate printing is to print a lot so I can figure out what types of marks are possible. Then I try to combine certain kinds of marks to make dynamic and unique prints.

Even after all these years, I can end up with happy surprises. I used some planning to create the dark blue female figure and was pleased with how the orange and blue edge lined up on the right. I like how the plate ink makes the left side a bit less bright.

This one started as a series of brayered on geometric shapes with the idea of leaving some white on the paper. I did a little planning around framing up the grass element and was pleasantly surprised how the bold shapes and delicate impression combine to create a dynamic image.

This fern print was mostly planned and yet the elements of serendipity are the tiny white dots that run through the print. These are created by small holes in my gelatin plate. As the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate ages little defects can appear in the surface of the plate. I happen to love those defects.

This type of learning to plan our printed marks and support serendipity with new understanding is the approach we will be taking in my online printmaking classes. Check out the current workshops.

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