Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

What do I mean – line quality?

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 13, 2019

I often think about the line quality of different printmaking techniques. The word quality may be misleading.

Sometimes the word quality refers to good or bad. But that is not how I am using it, when I talk about the line quality in artwork.

Maybe character of line would be more accurate. I am talking about:

thick – thin
smooth – jagged
expressive – loose
sharp – mechanical

It is also about the expressive nature of the line and the feel or emotions it evokes.

A line can vary in thickness, length, shape, color, value and direction. Lines often help lead the viewer around the artwork.

In my practice of printmaking without a press, I explored different methods of printing that allow for and create marks of different line quality.

The different lines in these gelatin prints were created by the different tools that I used to produce the mark. For example the “bubbly” like lines were offset printed with a mop head.

Trace monoprinting is all about the fuzzy line quality that is made on the back side of the paper to transfer the ink to the paper. Ohh I love that fuzzy line and I am not sure you could get that kind of mark any other way.

In soft plate relief printing, I search for tools to make lines with a wide range of characteristics. In the print above, I used pens, container caps, weeds, twigs, pattern wheel and masking stencils. I think I love turning found objects into printmaking tools.

I hope I have given you a new way to think about line in your artwork.

What do I mean – line quality? Read More »

Print big and small with soft relief plates

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 8, 2019

I am happy to share with you that it is possible to make large sized prints even with small relief plates.

This is a panoramic picture of my studio wall today. The soft plate relief prints on the left are 16″ x 20″ and a variety of sizes down to 4″ square on the right.

In this image you can see can see the different styles of marks that are possible with soft foam relief plates:

Line drawings
Bold shapes
Water color painterly marks
Mottled texture of the plate

I am sure that you can make this technique your own. I think the key is to make lots of plates and prints.

I have piles and piles of plates and a few that are my favorites. One challenge can be finding foam, especially if the grocers in your area do not use foam plates for food storage.

There are 2 art supply options, sticky back craft foam and scratch art board. Each type of foam holds a line differently and transfers ink in a different consistency. Experimentation with the tools that are available to you will allow you to develop your own style of relief printing. More about supplies here.

I would love to share what I know with you and help you explore soft plate relief printing.

Read all the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us today.

Print big and small with soft relief plates Read More »

Relief print possibilities

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / February 5, 2019

Simple and collaged, one way to play with small relief prints.

I made a series of small prints and combined them to complete a larger print.

These expressive and abstract lines were inspired by my trip to the museum and a Josef Albers print.

Working small is a good idea when printing without a press. Small makes it easier to ink and print the plates.

Sometime simple shapes and open spaces lend interest to a powerful print.

Gather up some foam and join me in the online printmaking class, Soft Plate Relief Printing. Class starts soon. Read the details on the printmaking workshop page.

Relief print possibilities Read More »

Go to a Museum – SEE yourself

inspiration / Linda Germain / February 4, 2019

I am so lucky that I live near lots of galleries and art museums. Yesterday, I went to the Addison Gallery of American Art.

This is my reflection in a linocut by Josef Albers. I was struck by the simple graphics and bold contrast of solid black and confident white line. I was inspired to play with the abstract graphic line with materials in my studio.

I am also interested in the literal reflection of me in the work I see and the abstract idea that I am reflected in works that I like. What do you think? Have you ever noticed reflections and shadows when viewing art?

This photo is by Wynn Bullock. I was drawn to the lights and darks, the tree and moon. It gives me enough and creates mystery as well.

We are lucky now that we can take photos at exhibits and bring the experience home.

my reflection in Hand by John Coplans

I love to walk into the small galleries and stand in the middle of the room and just take it all in. I found myself breathing deeply and smiling.

This is a panoramic shot of the Geometry part of the 4 x4 exhibit. Step in….. breathe and experience.

This is a rayograph/photogram by Man Ray at the gallery at Addison Gallery of American ART. I was smiling here because I think that gel prints can be a lot like the layers of a rayograph/photogram. A rayograph/photogram is created by placing objects on light sensitive paper and then exposing the paper. Light is block and changed by the objects creating images on paper.

Twisted Planes by by László Moholy-Nagy

I admired the cast shadows as much as the sculpture itself.

Then as I left I was just as inspired by the shadows of the trees and me.

I encourage you to step out to a gallery or museum and see yourself in some art. Take that back to the studio and make stuff!

If you are interested in playing with relief printing – then join us in the online Soft Plate Relief Printing class – starts soon. READ the details on the workshop page.

Go to a Museum – SEE yourself Read More »

Simple tools for fun relief printing

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / January 30, 2019

I like printing more than making printing plate. Often carving a relief plate takes lots of planning and time. That is why I like making soft foam relief plates. They are fast and can be spontaneous.

There are just a couple of key tools that you need to get started with soft foam relief plate printing foam and mark making tools.

I like to recycle foam produce containers. But some folks cannot seem to find them, so 2 good alternatives are sticky back foam and scratch foam board.

You can find sticky back foam sheets at craft stores and the scratch foam board at art supply stores. Each type of foam has a different kind of mark.

The sticky back foam is often nice and smooth and will make a smoother impression than the recycled foam trays. And the scratch foam is in between those two.

The different foam hold the line drawings differently too.

I like using the sticky back foam to make simple abstract prints like the one above. I have learned to appreciate the kind of mark that naturally occurs with these plates. I embrace the mottled uneven impression.

I like to combine the best qualities of the tools to make monotype prints with several different blocks.

The newest tool that I have come to love is the embossing stylus. I got a set of 3 for around $10.00 and I love how they impress a line into the different foams.

The ball tip rolls across the surface and creates a nice consistent line.

I think that one of the things that makes soft foam relief printing interesting is to vary the line type and quality. So I like to use lots of tools to make that happen.

You can use water color to make colorful white line images.

And you can print on fabric too!

You can join the online printmaking workshop, Soft Plate Relief Printing. Read all the details on the workshop page.

Simple tools for fun relief printing Read More »