Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Go back to your sketchbooks – reference

book arts, drawings, mark making / Linda Germain / November 9, 2023

Generally, I need a reference for drawing. I don’t do so well just drawing from memory or imagination.

Some of my favorite drawings are the ones of twigs and organic items found in the woods. They feel authentic, real, most like me.

Recently I have been looking back through my sketchbooks to find flowers, leaves and doodles to add to a new book.

In the image above, I used the sketchbook drawing of the black vines as a reference for the lower drawing in a new book in progress. The bigger book is one I am creating with the lessons from the Make Marks + Books online class. The book is layered with marks, prints and doodles. And in this one I am finishing it with leaf, vine and flower drawings.

This loose layering approach:

fosters just beginning and going with the flow
allows you experiment with different kinds of mark making
delete, cover or edit undesirable marks
discover meaning, focus or story as you go
identify your strengths and preferences

If this sound interesting to you, then read the details on the Make Marks + Books workshop page. Class starts soon.

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Layers of marks – a story

artist book, inspiration, mark making, mark making tools / Linda Germain / November 3, 2023

I like to make marks with:

stamping tools and the gelatin plate. The details can be amazing.
a pencil/crayon and my non-dominate hand. The line can be raw and authentic.
small hand made stamps. The patterns can be very stabilizing.

I combine these and a few other mark making techniques to make visual story books.

If you are curious about this approach to art making, then check out the details of the upcoming class Make Marks + Books.

This 7 lesson class is about exploring mark making and using a few simple printmaking techniques to make artist books. We will use a non-linear approach to layering and responding to the images. It is intuitive and yet guided by design principles, like variety and repetition.

Join me in the online class – Make Marks + Books. Give yourself the gift of time to explore.

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Seeing things differently

drawings, inspiration, mark making / Linda Germain / October 5, 2023

Our perception is our reality. And we can learn to perceive things differently. Okay that was a little deep. Let’s lighten up.

In my recent days, I have been doing a lot of line drawings of faces. I have done self portraits, zoom participants, and other images as references. I have to admit most of the drawings are not very strong likenesses of the subject.

This does not bother me. I am using the drawing process to change my perception and to build my seeing/drawing skills. I like the quick contour line drawing format. It is easy to squeeze in a few drawings every day.

I can practice noticing the different shapes of peoples facial features even when I am not drawing. This will help improve my actual drawings.

So much can be expressed in a simple line. Take emojis for example. Emotion is conveyed with just a few lines. I would love to develop the skills to capture unique expression with limited line.

One way that I try to learn to perceive differently is to do a drawing based on a photo and then trace the contour lines of the photo. Then compare the traced lines to the ones that I thought I saw in the first drawing (without tracing).

It is very helpful to me. For example this last drawing was based on a tracing from a photo of myself. I notice that my eyes are not equal and my face is not as long as I usually draw it. I challenge you to question your perception today. Be open to seeing in a new way.

If you want to explore, drawing, tracing and monoprinting to expand your seeing skills, then consider the online class, Draw into Print – a trace monotype workshop. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Explore Meditative Marks

drawings, mark making / Linda Germain / September 27, 2023

What is your go to doodle? Do scribble while you are in meetings or on the phone? This may be a way to engage a different part of your brain.

Lately, my marks have been dashes and lines with watercolor or acrylic ink. Sometimes I do long lines that become a structure for a list on another day.

I think you could make what ever doodle or mark feels good then explore it. It could be a way to quiet the mind or to get your creative juices flowing. And I bet you will end up with some cool patterned papers that can be used for collage projects.

I suggest:

Use whatever ink, pen or paint that is handy
Play with different media and paper
Trust your gut. Let go of needing to know.

Check out the current online classes that are available now.

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A little art making everyday

inspiration / Linda Germain / September 7, 2023

Do you have expectations about what your art practice should be?

I do. I often get stuck in my tag line, printmaking without a press. Hmm? So does that mean I can’t draw, paint or make books?

I am trying to shed that limiting belief. It is challenging.

What does it indicate when I don’t feel like printing and would rather draw or paint?

I am trying hard to roll with the different interests and to trust that it will lead to a new artistic expression. I am embracing the idea of trusting the process and that the product will be revealed.

It is hard to be in between things, not knowing the end result.

I have tried to force myself to do old practices to see if they could stimulate interest and desire to print, but they have not worked that way. I think the important action I can take is to keep trying different approaches and to embrace an attitude of patience with the process.

If you are in between things, sometimes taking a class can give you a boost. Check out the current workshops that are available.

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