Enjoy Ellsworth Kelly – abstract

drawings / /

I love the plant drawings that Ellsworth Kelly is known for.

 

But I found this short video that resonated for me.

I love his story about loving the windows of a space more than the paintings in the exhibit. I often see the reflection in an artwork more than the piece.

Shadows are always catching my eye, too

He says, Art needs time.

I think we make up the story/content when we give shadows, windows, relfections and abstract art time.

Do a search for an artist who inspires you and listen to him/her talk about art.

 

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Play with Gelatin Printmaking

monotype print / /

One way to approach a day of gelatin printmaking is to grab 3 stencils and a stack of paper and print with abandon.

make gelatin prints with masking stencils

I did that with a bird, branch and moon stencil. Enjoy the evolution of a series of prints.

I like to keep it simple and make tiny changes in ink or stencils or placement. Those tiny changes can make a big impact.

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking with me, then join us in the online printmaking class, Make Monotypes .

It is a 4 week class in which we will print with ink on paper, using the gelatin plate.

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Print, draw and collage – studio walls

inspiration / /

I have been keeping busy with a variety of printing, drawing and collage projects. Enjoy some studio wall shots.

tiny gelatin print thumbnail collage

I am having a lot of fun making these 2″ thumbnail, collage gelatin prints. I think they will end up being pages of a book.

thumbnail landscapes from gelatin prints

These thumbnail landscapes worked up really nicely.

thumbnail collages of gelatin prints

I find these are great skill builders for enhancing design skills. And they are fast and satisfying.

thumbnails of type of textured marks in gelatin printmaking

This is a collage of the different types of textured marks that I use in gelatin printmaking.

tiny watercolor people

This was a really fun and confidence building exercise in painting watercolor figures, with just a few strokes.

I made a bunch of drum leaf books with some gelatin prints

I am playing with some different book forms, drum leaf, stab binding and staggered fold.

simple landscapes

I am totally seeing landscapes and skies with new eyes. I can see why they are such a popular subject matter. I get new inspiration everyday.

playful angels

I played with patterns and painting a couple of angels for the holiday.

collage with magazine pages

One day I made a couple of collages with minimal paper.

sketches inspired by Panera coffee cup

Playing with a few sketches inspired by my Panera coffee cup.

I think the idea is to listen to your hunches, inklings and idea and act on them, even if you think you are not ready or not good enough.

Just play with printmaking and more!

Join me in an online class soon. Check out the current online printmaking workshops.

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Try it! – Gelatin printing and more

mixed media printmaking / /

Today, I found these rubbing plates at the Dollar Tree Store.

Rubbing plates for printmaking without a press

I brought them back to the studio and started to play.  There were 3 different flower plates. I like how one of the designs prints up.

rubbing plate and the gelatin plate for making monotypes

I played with using both sides of the plate to see what different types of details and impressions would result.

gelatin prints with rubbing plate

Then I tested out a crayon to make line drawings.

use a wide crayon to make rubbings

It was a bit chaotic, all the over printing. So I simplified the background and let the line drawing be the focus.

layered gelatin plate monotype prints

The take away from my process was:

  1. Play
  2. think it = try it
  3. let go of the things I do not like
  4. work parts of the plate
  5. leave open or quiet space
  6. simplify
  7. allow a focus

I invite you to try those 7 steps in your next printing session! Enjoy.

If you want to print and play with me and gelatin printmaking in the new year, then join us in Make Monotypes, 4 week online gelatin printing class. READ the details on the workshop page.

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Just pull some prints!

monotype print / /

It is ok to print with the same colors and subject matter! All the famous artists do it.

pull some gelatin prints

I love blue and yellow. And I really love printing with thin flat weeds and grasses.

gelatin prints are fun!

Today I challenged my readers to pull 10 prints.  I often do this for myself when I just need to get started. Before I know it I have a pile of prints and even a few that I like.

vary the size of your stencil when gelatin printing

I invite you to drop everything and go pull 10 prints. Enjoy!

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