Print Day in May – 4th 2019

We still have plenty of time to plan and join the global community of printmakers for Print Day in May.

Print Day in May began in 2007 at the Monterey Peninsula College (MPC), Monterey, CA. The MPC Fine Art Print Club (now the MPC Printmakers) created it to encourage printmakers everywhere to create prints on the same day . . . an all-inclusive printmaking effort! Join the MPC Printmakers, and make some prints during Print Day in May!

You can get into the international event:

  • Register for free on their website
  • plan a print day with your print buddies
  • get psyched about and share your passion on social media with the #printdayinmay
Instagram@printdayinmay
Facebook@printdayinmay
Twitter@printdayinmayUse #printdayinmay to be featured and to add your images to what has become an international printmaking forum!

gel printing is fast and spontaneous

I have been brainstorming ideas for the event. It will be a world wide print-along, a celebration of all that printmaking has to offer.

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Print botanicals with your best friend
  2. Make messy painted monotypes with your Grandkids
  3. Make tiny gelatin plates and print a tote bag
  4. Do a print exchange with a small circle of artists
  5. Visit a print studio and print with them
  6. Try a new method of printmaking
  7. Do trace monoprints at a life drawing class
  8. Make a manhole cover print

The main goal is to print and share the joy of printmaking with other. More info about Print a day in May on their website.

pile of prints by linda germain

Print Day in May – 4th 2019 Read More »

What do I mean – line quality?

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

different line qualities in relief prints

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.

make lots of gelatin prints to get one you like

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.

figure drawing class linda germain

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.

foam plate relief print

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

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

studio wall of prints linda germain

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.

different styles of marks with soft foam relief plates

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

  1. Line drawings
  2. Bold shapes
  3. Water color painterly marks
  4. 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.

foam plates for printmaking

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.

foam cut to size for printmaking

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

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

soft plate relief print

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

foam plate relief print

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

monochromatic relief print by linda germain

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

simple shapes foam plate prints

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

foam plate relief print by linda germain

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

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?

image from Addison Gallery of American 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

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.

gallery at Addison Gallery of American ART

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

rayograph by Man Ray at the gallery at Addison Gallery of American ART

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.

cast shadows by László Moholy-Nagy piece

Twisted Planes by by László Moholy-Nagy

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

inspired by cast shadows

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 »