Fun day of Letterpress printing at Maine Media Workshops

monotype print / /

Oh I love taking classes!

letter press printed cards linda germain

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.

blank embossed letterpress card

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.

cards printed with a letterpress linda germain

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.

orphan type face for printing

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.

two color letterpress cards linda germain

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.

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Making Monochromatic Mountains

Gelatin plate print / /

I have been playing with torn stencils and making monochromatic abstract mountains.

mountain range gelatin print

It has been fun using simple torn stencils from copy paper to create an abstract mountain range.

ghost print of abstract mountain prints

I am relying on the concept of atmospheric perspective to create the illusion of space. The further away the range the lighter it would be in the image. The closer to the viewer, then the darker it would be.

moon and mountains print

I have been enjoying working with simple stencils and just one color and distinct values and the gelatin plate. Sometimes less is more.

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

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Take a walk-find inspiration

inspiration, mark making tools / /

Do you ever need a little pick-me-up? A walk around the block may be the answer.

walk for ideas

I need to take lots of breaks to clear my head and get focused on the next thing to do. Sometimes I am stopped by “treasures” on the street.

metal wire for printmaking

This rusted piece of metal could be used:

Another find was some autumn leaves.

Leaves to inspire printmaking

I can use:

  • the colors
  • the textures
  • the shapes

to create stencils, prints and drawings.

I suggest you try a walk next time you need a bit of focus.

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Artist book as a canvas for collecting

artist book, combined techniques, drawings / /

I recently made an artist’s book with simple brown bag pages.

brown bags for book making

Brown bags are strong and a great substrate for journals and books.

mixed media artist book

I added some white pages and some printed pages and a gelatin printed cover.

Then I randomly white washed a few pages, printed on a few and just started adding marks.

gelatin printed book page by linda germain

I am having fun adding marks here and there and letting the book evolve in a non-linear fashion.

mixed media gelatin printed book

I have been carrying it around with me, so I can add to it where ever I am.

gelatin print in handmade book

I think it might end up being a memory or record of these few months. I always enjoy looking at these kinds of journals years later.

Give it a try.

Make a book from brown bags or other non-precious papers and then:

  • white wash some pages
  • tape in random words
  • Scribble or doodle
  • screen print or stamp in some marks
  • add some gelatin prints.

Let it evolve over the next few weeks. If you get some ugly pages, then collage over them. Enjoy!

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Screen printing into an Art Journal

screen printing / /

I made a couple emulsion based EZscreens yesterday, because it was a nice bright sunny day.

emulsion side of EZscreen

You just need a minute or two of bright sunlight to expose the emulsion coated screen. I made a couple of small text based screens that I hope to use to print on to clay.

taped EZscreens ready for printing

When I print on paper I duct tape the edges to give me a well for the ink and also to have something to hold onto. But I have seen some clay artist do not tape the screens to leave them more flexible for printing on shaped surfaces.

screen printing on artist book

I have a book that I have been playing with. It is already sewn together, so I used clothes pins to keep the pages separated while the wet ink dried.

silk screen printing into art journal

I have been using the EZscreens instead of thermofax screens. The mesh for the old thermofax machines changed a few years back and my machine stopped working correctly.

There is a new machine that is available in the US now, the MiScreen. It goes for about $2500. You can watch a video about that system here from Xpresscreen in NC.

These kind of emulsion based screens are a great way to get delicate detailed impressions. What I love is that I don’t have to deal with chemicals. They work great for the small type of screens that I use.

screen print of cottage

Happy printing!

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

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