Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Make books-holiday gifts

artist book / Linda Germain / December 17, 2019

One simple way to use some of your gelatin prints as gifts is to make small notebooks. These can be very easy to make and super fun to give as a gift.

How to make small books – pamphlet stitch

Decide on a size. Size might be determined by the paper that you have available or the prints that you want to work with, or maybe the intended use.
Fold sheets in half. Crease with bone folder if desired.
Find 2 prints and cut the same size as your pages.
Place prints back to back and fold (this is the cover)
Make a sewing template – 3 evenly space holes
Pierce all folded pages – mark top, keep in order
Wax some embroidery thread by dragging it across bees wax candle several times. Or use already waxed thread.
Sew booklet together and tie knot in center.
Trim staggered edge with new fresh, sharp utility knife and several passes. This take patience and practice.
Sign, date and gift!!

Here’s a quick video summarizing the steps to make a pamphlet stitch book.

I hope you enjoy making some books for yourself and your friends.

If you are looking to use up some more of your prints in creative book making ways, then check out the Mixed Media Printmaker’s Retreat. It is an online class designed to support you in your art making habits.

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

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Making books and rusting paper

artist book / Linda Germain / December 13, 2019

I dug through some of my prints from this year and started making a mixed media book.

I like to work in a kind of layered spiral.

I lay down a based coat
Add some textured color
Then some hand drawn marks
A bit of collage
More paint and around and around until it feels done

This book used two kids books as a the base for the pages.

And then I used a multi needle coptic stitch to put them together.

It took me a while to remember that stitch pattern. I am not sure it is truly correct, but it is working nicely to hold the boards together.

I love to add upside down text to the book. So I write on tea bags and glue them in upside down. I get to put my emotion into the piece and still keep it a secret.

Over the last few days I pulled out my box of rusty things, spritzed with with vinegar and water and set them on some paper. I am getting mixed results. It is a surprise each day when I uncover the stack.

Find time to play in your studio!!!

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

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Be open to the element of surprise

monotype print / Linda Germain / November 22, 2019

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.

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Back to basics

monotype print / Linda Germain / November 17, 2019

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.

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Fun day of Letterpress printing at Maine Media Workshops

monotype print / Linda Germain / November 11, 2019

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.

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