Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Choose the method of printmaking that matches desired result

monotype print / Linda Germain / January 29, 2019

Even with low tech printmaking processes, the resulting impression varies quite a bit.

I have been playing with soft plate relief prints and the process of making a mark is much slower that gelatin printmaking, but the style of print cannot be attained with the gel print process.

The gray and black images above are relief prints made with soft foam plates and black and sepia image is a gel print. The each have a different feel.

When I get into relief printing mode, I simply and get more graphic. Where as my gel prints can be more fluid and textural.

For me gelatin printing is fast and spontaneous. I can pull a lot prints in a short period of time. I like that!

I use trace monoprinting techniques when I want an expressive loose line drawing.

When I am trying to get flat uniform layers, I use screen printing processes.

Christmas card - screen printed by hand linda germain — Paper stencil screen print

If I want to get a detailed, fine line impression I use an emulsion style screen.

So even if you are printmaking at home without a fancy studio, it is possible to make many different kinds of prints.

The magic happens when you take some of the techniques and combine them with bookmaking, drawing or collage.

Happy printing!

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Why use ink for printmaking?

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / January 27, 2019

I use low tech and non-toxic ways of printing like, relief printing and gelatin plate monotype printmaking.

These processes are easily accessible in a home based studio. And they are great ways to get into printmaking with out needing a big studio or press.

For that reason, many people who have not made prints before often break into printmaking with some of these methods. Inks and brayers are often a new expense and tool.

That is why I want to take a moment and explain why using the right inks and brayers for a particular printmaking process make the process a little easier.

Inks are designed to be wet and workable for a longer period of time than acrylic paint.
Inks are designed to be rolled out and worked with a brayer
Inks have stickiness that lends them to in indirect nature of printmaking

Printmaking is an indirect method of mark making. This means that the ink is often applied to a plate and then pressed on to the paper. Compared to a more direct approach in painting when the paint goes directly from brush to canvas.

Things to consider when choosing an ink:

Oil or water based? Water is much easier to work with and often a good choice for home based printing
Printing on paper or fabric? Ink made for your substrate will always work best. Fabric ink often needs to be more fluid
Ease of clean up
Cost and ability to use the inks for your other projects

That last factor is why many newbies want to use acrylic paint. The trouble with many acrylic craft paints is that they are too fluid to hold the mark and dry too fast to make the transfer of ink.

However, some kinds of impressions are possible with acrylic craft paint you just need to work fast and know the limits of the paint.

I often advise that you buy a tube of black ink that is specifically designed for the process and the right kind of brayer. That way you can test out the process before you invest in a new line of inks.

For example, I like the speedball water based block printing ink for relief printing and gelatin monotype printmaking. It stays alive and workable. Which makes it easy to transfer from plate to paper.

If you would like to explore relief printing with soft foam plates and water based inks, then check out the details and join us in the online printmaking workshop.

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Quick relief plates – printing and playing

foam plate printmaking / Linda Germain / January 24, 2019

I am exploring the possibilities of printing with soft relief plates and discovering new ideas each day!

First I am working small but then combining the experimental impression to make bigger prints. The supports risk taking, because I don’t need every impression to be perfect. I can pick and choose the small images to be combined into the larger image.

I love to work in a way that allows me to experiment and try new methods. If I am too afraid to make mistakes them I think my prints become dull and repetitive.

I am testing and experimenting with different kinds of foam and how to get them to hold the marks that I make in them.

I like to use recycled produce trays but the sticky back craft foam gives a nice smooth transfer of ink.

I am excited to combine the possible marks of these tools and plates into a unique expression.

If you would like to explore this non-toxic and low tech method of relief printing, then check out the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us. – The Soft Plate Relief Printing workshop available now.

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Use tools and supplies that allow creative experimentation

tools / Linda Germain / January 21, 2019

One time I took an encaustic class and the teacher was known for using encaustic paints to create large 3d sculptures. And I wondered how she could possibly afford to work that way. Encaustic paint is expensive! In my mind that method of working would never be available to me.

Another time I found a video about a child who is known for large scale abstract paintings and thought to myself, “What if we all had the support and freedom to use all that paint?” Again I was limited by my belief that the art supplies were too precious to be use with abandon.

I am not saying that I wished my work was like either of these artist’s. My wish was that I could work as freely as they seemed to and to not be limited by expense or scarcity of supplies.

In many ways I think I have been able to adapt my process and give myself the freedom to create just as they do.

I use papers and inks and paints that are not precious to me. This gives me the space to make lots of “learning” prints. It gives me the opportunity to fail, discover and learn.

My most recent freeing art supply is index cards.

I use index cards for:

daily sketches
sketch book on a ring in my purse
test prints
landscape prints
relief prints

I did a series of landscape prints and then cropped a few into this thumbnail study. Love it!

These are test prints from some new foam relief prints. I combined them into a larger print and I am pleased with the presentation.

The index card is the perfect size for sketches and I just slip them onto a binder ring and they are easily organized.

Here I did some quick trace monoprints on a couple of index cards.

What supply could you use to support your own creative expression? What choices could you make to give your self the freedom to create from your unique voice?

I even make quick stencils from index cards.