3 Tiny tweaks make a big impact

Sometimes a tiny mark can transform a bland print into a wow print.

transform monotype with pastels

This was a boring abstract landscape and I:

  • cropped it
  • added some textural marks
  • put in some dark black marks

And know I quite love it.

Here is another example:

Before –

abstract monotype landscape

After:

abstract landscape with pastels

I made:

  • the darks darker
  • and added tiny texture to balance the strong lines
  • and cropped to a more dynamic compostion

Another before:

abstract mountain scene

And after adding a few marks:

mixed media monotype by linda germain

I used:

  • pastels
  • charcoal
  • white paint
  • india ink

to finish these abstract landscapes into monotype prints that are pleasing to me.

I encourage you to look at your pile of prints and see if you could  crop and add a few marks to create a few wow prints that you love.

Check out the current workshops for more inspiration.

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Printing with stamping tools

One of the main mark making approaches to gelatin printmaking is using what I call “stamping” tools to manipulate the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate.

tiny gelatin print collage

In the thumbnail collage above I used:

  1. handmade relief stamp
  2. cut corrugated cardboard
  3. die cut thing
  4. plastic plate holder
  5. pattern tracing wheel
  6. threads
  7. jar opener
  8. plastic doily
  9. relief stamp made from rubber bands

Ten stamping tools for gelatin printing linda germain

So search your:

  • studio
  • kitchen
  • recycle bin
  • toy chest
  • sewing box

for new stamping tools to use for gelatin printmaking.

If you would like to study with me and other artists from around the world, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes.

It is a 4 week online gelatin printmaking class. We will explore all the tools and techniques for gel printing with ink on paper.

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50 quick monotype landscapes

abstract monotype landscape by linda germain

I am playing with a few tools:

  • gelatin and glycerin plate
  • speedball ink
  • brayers
  • bristle brushes
  • palette knife
  • old credit card
  • sponge mop head
  • index cards

Very quickly I printed about 50 monotype landscapes.


quick landscapes with the gelatin plate

It was a great exercise in composition and design.

printed abstract landscape

This one above is created with horizontal brayer marks.

abstract landscape printed with the gelatin plate

This one is brayer mark mountains and the sky was created with a wide bristle brush.

simplified monoprinted landscape

This one has some light underlying mountain marks. I used an old credit card to create the horizon lines and foreground marks.

If you would like to join us in class, check out the online printmaking classes being offered.

 

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Matisse says, “Creativity takes Courage.”

I think as artists we can forget how brave we are!

More quotes from Matisse can be found here.

So I encourage you to recognize how brave you are today! Take stock and make a list of your brave actions:

I am a brave artist when I:

  1. suspend self judgement
  2. put my work out there
  3. ask for a sale
  4. am willing to make ugly prints
  5. set it aside and come back with fresh eyes
  6. tear it up and repurpose a piece
  7. take a class in a new media
  8. combine techniques in my own way

Come on make your list!

 

 

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Use your phone to capture inspiration

Sometimes ideas and inspiration just come you. Use your phone to capture those thoughts.

The easiest way to capture ideas is to take a picture. Even if it is not a beautiful photo is can capture the essence as a reference for a stencil or a painting or art process.

use your phone to capture inspiration

Another way I use my phone is to write a note to myself. Then I can come back to the notes later.

A third way that I save inspiration is to record sounds. Sometimes I just want remember that feeling that is created by the crashing waves or babbling brook.

Then turn that inspiration into art making action.

inspired landscape

 

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