I just came back from a short walk away from my studio. It has been a gray and overcast day, and my printing was labored. I needed a break.

I was lifted up by the puffy golden clouds that filled the sky just as the sun was setting. Glad I took a walk.

It reminded me to be open to the gift of surprise and serendipity.

This openness to experimentation is essential to gelatin printmaking. It is a true monotype process. Everything changes with each impression.

This can be really fun, unless you are stuck on recreating some kind of print or mark. So I advise to approach gelatin printmaking with a sense of adventure and discovery.

That is when the magic happens for me. My current exploration into Monochromatic Mountains uses masking stencils in a systematic way. That creates layered value changes.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

Sometimes I like to simplify my printing and get back to the basics.

I like to:

• simplify my color scheme
• think about division of space – unequal and dynamic
• create a strong range of value from light to dark

You would think by this time all that would come naturally. But no. I often find myself dividing my print right in half or needing some really dark marks.

If you would like to cycle through some the basic of design skills, then join us in Monochromatic Mountains, an online printmaking workshop the next time it is offered.

In this class we will:

• Use the gelatin plate and water based inks
• Mask and shape the design with torn stencils
• Limit the color scheme
• Focus on the dynamic division of space

To create some compelling mountain scapes.

These might be a perfect creative treat for your self in this holiday season. You may even create some lovely prints to frame as gifts.

Oh I love taking classes!

Yesterday, I went up to Maine Media Workshops in Rockport, Maine for a one day letterpress workshop with Richard Smith.

I am so energize with new ideas.

I am completely new to letterpress. Richard and the print studio had lots of type and small printing plates to play with. We had an intimate group, so I got to plan and print cards with 9 different designs in one short class.

We had lots of different papers to choose from. Originally I thought I would like to play with some orphan type that I had in my studio. Then I realized how much patience I needed to make the different sized type fit together tightly.

Letterpress printing is fun! And having the help of skilled letterpress printmakers is key for me!

I think having a plan and a reason to print multiple copies help make the set up process all worthwhile too.

I might play with gelatin printing over some of the cards. And others will make their way to the mailbox with holiday wishes.

If you are interested in gelatin printing with me at Maine Media Workshops in May of 2020, then check out the details on the printmaking workshop page.