Exploring cyanotypes

monotype print, techniques / /

I my Simplify – Gelatin Prints class, I teach a mock cyanotype technique.

mock cyanotype gelatin plate monotype print

I love the mixture of black and cyan ink. I think it produces some nice rich impressions. Delicate weeds and intricate cut glass are good tools for this process.

cut glass as a stamping tool for gelatin plate printmaking

But today I made a few real cyanotype prints. I have been collecting inspiration online and have a list of approaches that I want to try. It does take some planning and preparation.

  • I mixed the chemicals 24 hours earlier.
  • Then I painted the mixture on to the papers
  • Wait for them to dry in a darkroom

Luckily, I had a bright sunny day. I started with few grasses and a test strip. I exposed a little more paper every minute, for a total of 5 minutes. The pale blue was exposed for 1 minute direct bright sun. And the dark blue at the bottom was exposed for 5 minutes

cyanotype test strip

I had prepared a digital negative of a photograph. My printer is low on toner and the black areas were a bit transparent, so I underexposed the print so I would not lose all the detail. I am pretty pleased with the result.

cyanotype print made with a digital negative

The light is always changing and different tools block the light differently too. I really wanted to do a glass cast shadow. I first attempt fail, not enough shadow. As time passed the shadows got longer. Second try much better.

cast shadow cyanotype

I even tried printing on a rock.

cyanotype prints by linda germain

I will continue to play with the cyanotype process. If you would like to explore my mock cyanotype process, then check out the details of the class Simplify – Gelatin Printmaking.

gelatin plate monotype print

 

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In and Out of the Studio

artist book, combined techniques, inspiration, monotype print / /

I think time outside of the studio, feeds what is created in the studio. What is your experience?

artist book relief prints

I often see shadows and leaves on my morning walks that I use as reference in my gelatin printmaking. I collect weeds and grasses to use as masking stencils too.

cast shadows great for drawing

Lately, I have been doing lots of line drawings of faces. Old photos have been the stimulus for some of these drawings. I have also been capturing new images of family members to use as reference.

stylized portrait

Even an extended vacation could inspire a new series or process.

gelatin prints bound into artist books

I just came back from Maine Media for a week long class, A Sense of Place with Isobel Lewis. I enjoyed exploring new book forms and printmaking methods.

If you are looking for a stay at home art vacation option, then check out the self study classes on my workshop page.

botanical gelatin plate monotype prints

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GIFTS from nature

drawings, foam plate printmaking, mark making / /

Nature has many gifts. We can simply look, listen, touch, smell and maybe even taste to receive the gifts.

raindrops on the lake

Today, my woods walk was filled with gifts:

  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Two Loons
  • Bright Blue Jays
  • Rain drops on the lake
  • Yellow dandelions

I have tried to draw in the woods and I just resist it. So today I took a few pictures and brought them back to the studio.

close up of dandelion

I abstracted the dandelion with a few sketches and then made a foam stamp. How could you bring the gifts of nature back to your studio?

abstracted dandelion foam relief stamp

weeds as stencils for gelatin printing

I always have a collection of delicate weeds and grasses for gelatin printmaking. If you like this style below, then check out the online class, Simplify.    You can sign up and be printing today! Read all the details on the workshop page. 
gelatin print, mock cyanotype

I love the monochromatic color palate of black and cyan. It is such a traditional printmaking color scheme.

gelatin print with grass as stencil

I have so many of these prints that I like to bind them into little journals. I alternate one print and one blank page, so there is space for writing. If you have a lot of single sheet prints and would like to make them into books, then you might want to check out the Bound Prints Workshop. Read all the details on the printmaking workshop page.

gelatin prints bound into a book by linda germain

I hope you find a way to receive the gifts of nature. Happy printing.

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Take an art vacation

artist book, book arts, drawings, inspiration / /

I just got back from a week at Maine Media. Oh boy did I need to get away. And I am glad to be back in the studio with renewed energy and ideas.

tetra pak intaglio plates

I have joined in on some online courses this year and they have been stimulating too. But working in person with instructors and fellow artists offers another energy.

The class was “A Sense of Place” with Isobel Lewis. We explored Rockport Harbor on the first day and did several drawings to capture the feel and essence. Luckily it was a sunny spring day.

rockport harbor

We spent the week making marks and working the papers into several different book forms.

accordion book

The book above was formed with 4 Tetra Pak intaglio prints. I love the loose threads that symbolize the ropes and lines of the boating community.

tetra pak print by Linda Germain

Enjoy a short video of a single sheet accordion book that a made during the week.

Consider giving yourself the gift of an art vacation. Some of the places that I have enjoyed:

Check your local art schools for more options.

 

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Why draw faces?

drawings / /

Faces are everywhere. They are unique but similar at the same time. Drawing faces can be challenging. It depends on your expectations and goals.

contour line drawing of face

I like loose and expressive drawings that capture the essence of a person.

I watch a lot of TV, and I have started to look closely eyes, nose and mouths. It is a fun challenge to do quick  sketches of these features.

blob faces

A really fun project is to do hair portraits. It is simple and satisfying. You can use magazine references and other photos. Sometimes I feel like the hair alone can capture the essence of a person.

hair portraits

If you are struggling to see the nuances that characterize a certain face, then you could do a tracing. I am always amazed at how much I can learn from tracing the dominate lines of my face. Tiny differences in line placement can make a big difference in accuracy of the drawing.

trace to learn to see

Tracings can feel stiff and without energy. So I try to use them as a tool to help me to see more accurately.

This skill of accurately seeing carries over into drawings of all types.

line drawing of seed pod

Check out another post on drawing faces here.

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