Making a few Tetra Pak prints

mark making tools / /

I recently started the Purple Carrot, meal service and one bonus is that I get beans in Tetra Paks.tetra pak for printmaking

My style of learning is to play, make mistakes and discover what I like. I had some trace monoprints of chairs on the wall and decided to make one into a Tetra Pak printing plate.

chair drawings by linda germain

The plate is part collograph and part intaglio. I like the really dark areas which is the collograph style mark. The dark areas are created by slicing into and removing the top sliver layer of the Tetra pak.

intaglio Tetra pak printing plate

It reveals the thin cardboard layer that sucks up a lot of ink. I really like the way the folds of the package hold the ink.

chair print by linda germain

I use the Akua Intaglio ink and the X-cut Xpress embossing press to make these prints. I used dry Masa paper to print on.

playing with mark making tools

This one above I was just playing with mark making tools to see what is possible the the Tetra Pak and the tools that I already have. I used embossing tools and tracing wheels and knife.

Happy Printing!

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Try something New

inspiration / /

If you are looking to breathe new life into your art practice, try a completely new skill. I just started a clay class at my local art center and my mind is buzzing with new ideas.
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The ways that this class is feeding my printmaking practice:

  • Getting me excited about making
  • Thinking about patterns, textures and surface design
  • Making me embrace the beginners mind
  • Helping me to form goals about what I want to learn and accomplish

And this is just after one class!

trace monoprint with watercolor

So if you want a creative boost step out of your usual and get a class in a new medium. You could:

For me it is important to be able to start the class/learn as soon as I can. Happy making!

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Value in scribbling – loosen up!

trace monoprint / /

Paul Klee is quoted, “Art does not reproduce the visible; rather it makes visible.”

Scribbling is an automatic, loose, expressive line drawing. It is guttural and filled with emotion. The surrealist and abstract expressionist made scribbling ok.

One of my favorite “scribblers” is Cy Twombly. He did huge scribble like paintings. Do a google image search and enjoy.

Of course you are familiar with the action painting style of Jackson Pollock.

I also love the large brush stroke paintings by Franz Kline and Robert Motherwell.

What is it that is appealing about scribbling?

  • It is raw and authentic
  • It tells a different story to different viewers
  • Maybe it says what can’t be said with recognizable forms

scribble drawing

My scribbles are not going to get me into an exhibit or museum, but they do free up my mark making.

scribble trace monoprint by linda germain

I did a series of 30 small expressive style drawings, using the trace monoprint method and Akua inks.

expressive drawing by linda germain

I was experimenting with different pencils, pens and crayons to transfer the ink in different ways.

use different tools to make different marks

My drawings/prints went from chaotic to quiet and back and forth again. I think making art is like the ups and downs of a gentle roller coaster ride. In the end I had discovered some new tools and marks that I will use in my mixed media prints.

line drawing monotype print by linda germain

If you are interested in:

  • exploring expressive drawing
  • making trace monoprints

Join us in SEE draw print, the online class. Class starts Friday. READ the details.

 

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Working small can lead to big things

monotype print, trace monoprint / /

It can be overwhelming to getting started with a new series or art project. One way to ease into a new project it to work small and do a little something each day.

trace monoprint of a chair

I like working 5″ x 7″. It is small enough to complete quickly and a standard size that can easily be framed up to 8″ x 10″

An in a very short time I can have a collection of drawings, prints or collages for my studio wall.

chair drawings by linda germain

Consider doing a few small works  in one day to get yourself psyched up to continue the “daily doing.”

tacks and clips to display art in progress

Three tips on making small art everyday:

  1. Use supplies that are easy and accessible to you quickly. Minimize prep time and clean up time. That is why daily drawing is so popular, all you need is pen and paper. But if you are printmaker or collage artist or fiber artist find ways to leaves supplies out and ready, so you can quickly make your small daily piece.
  2. Hang up your work. Admire it. Enjoy the growing collection. Try not to judge every little piece. If you give yourself time and space you will see your unique voice evolving and getting clearer.
  3. Keep it fun. Remember this is a practice to support you. If it turns into another chore to get done, then consider changing the subject or medium and get back to a bit of joyful creation.

If you would like to jumpstart a daily habit with some drawings and trace monoprinting, then

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

This is a great class to get playing with loose, expressive drawing and then easily transform those drawings into one of a kind, trace monoprints.

The “big things” that could happen from your “daily doings.”

  • You may have body of work for a solo show
  • You may have a stack of work to frame and sell or gift
  • You may have new and stronger skills
  • You may have become more aware of your unique expression

I think it is worth the try!

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Loving Akua Intaglio ink for Trace Monoprinting

trace monoprint / /

Trace monoprinting is a simple printing process. And having a high quality, slow drying ink like Akua Intaglio makes it even easier.

I am getting ready for the online class, SEE – draw – Print  and making prints and discovering new things in the process.

trace monoprint of abstract flower

I am most pleased with how the Akua Intaglio ink stays active and workable for a very long time. The Akua ink is designed to stay open and workable until it is absorbed into the paper.

So I can leave it on my palette over night and come back the next day and work it a bit with my palette knife and brayer and start pulling prints right away.

aka intaglio and mag mix for making trace monotype prints

It is a soy based formula and does not have the toxic properties of traditional oil based inks.

In the past I have used the speedball water based block printing inks with a retarder to make trace monoprints. That ink dries pretty quickly, so I needed to work fast and spontaneously.

studio set up to make trace monoprint

A good way to try out the Akua inks it to get a starter kit. You get some Intaglio ink, and liquid pigment and transparent base and one modifier. I would suggest getting a jar of Mag Mix too.

I use the Mag Mix to stiffen the ink and make for a cleaner line when making trace monotype prints.

If you are new to printmaking and have never used professional quality inks, please enjoy this video and others by Susan Rostow, the creator of Akua inks.

 

If you would like to explore printmaking without a press, get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

trace monoprints of leaves

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