Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

See Shadows and Shapes – Printmaking Skill

masking stencils / Linda Germain / July 19, 2018

I love the process of printing and discovering what happens when I layer and combine different kinds of marks.

That is just one part of the process of printing. Other elements of mixed media printmaking could be:

Collecting ideas and subject matter
Drawing or creating a matrix (stencil/image/plate)
Proofing and testing the matrix
Cropping, combining and framing the final image

I think different people are interested in different parts of the process. Some folks love drawing and planning and others love the finishing and framing.

Stencils can be a quick way to get to the printing and playing part of the process. Stencils can be:

Simple torn paper
Flat found objects
Magazine cut outs

And of course stencils can be more complex images such as:

Delicate Tyvek® cuttings
Exposed emulsion screens

My collection of stencils started out as a few paper doll like dresses and threads. And now I have more stencils and ideas than I can use.

What element of printmaking is your favorite?
Do you want to improve your stencil making skills?
And get printing fast?
Check out the workshops for current offerings

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Stencils a fast and easy way to get into printmaking

stencils / Linda Germain / July 16, 2018

Stencils are a quick way to get started with printmaking techniques.

They can be combined with other tools:

Add them to a screen for screen printing
Use them with the gelatin plate to make monotype prints
Adhere them to fabric for fabric printing

Then can be used with or without a press. And can be created or found.

Watch the video below and check out my stacks of stencils.

I see stencils as doing one of 2 things:

Masking stencil blocks the transfer of ink to the paper
Traditional “hole” stencil lets ink pass through the “hole” to the paper

I also use masking stencils to transfer ink to the plate or paper in a unique way when I am printing with the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate.

If you would love to explore stencils, designing them, making them and using them then check out the details of the Make Stencils Workshop, starts July 30th.

The online printmaking class:

4 wk Stencil Making Course
20 lessons – 34 videos
6 month access or download for life

Hope to see you in class soon.
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Sampler book from Mixed Media Printmakers Retreat

artist book / Linda Germain / July 4, 2018

The Mixed Media Printmakers Retreat is designed to meet you where you are in your mixed printmaking process.

Then add a few new skills to reform and shape some of your prints and papers into books and mixed media prints.

In preparation for the course, I did a little sample book that included several of the processes that we will be using,

Rusting paper or prints
pamphlet stitch book form
Wax rubbings
Tissue paper collage
Gesso transfers
Stitching without thread
Smoking, burning
Text as texture
Trace monoprint
accordion fold

You still have time to join this online class.

Read the details on the workshop page.

Class is 2 weeks long and is designed to help you dedicate a concentrated effort to your art practice.
And you have access to the classroom for at least a year.

Get inspired! Give your pile of prints new life!

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Space + Time + tools = FUN

techniques / Linda Germain / July 2, 2018

This was my TO DO list today.

I needed to

make some space on my workbench
take the time to play with the woodblock that I made last week in class
gather the tools for my experiments.
Then most importantly let it be FUN!

If you are having trouble getting started with you next art making project try out the “Space + Time + Tools = FUN” formula.

Often we can be distracted from making art because we think that we do not have:

Enough space
Any time
Right Tools

That might be true, but if you really want to make art you can often find the time and space and then use the tools that you do have.

For example, woodblock printing is new to me. After taking a workshop at MassART with Lisa Houck, I wanted to continue to experiment with the blocks that I had made.

Even before the 2 day workshop started I hunted through my stuff for carving tools, wood, watercolors and paper. I borrowed watercolors from a friend and made do with the paper and tools that I had.

The thing that was going to stop me was time!

I reminded myself to “feed” my art habit first, then I would be in a space to share what I learn with others. [Like the oxygen mask in a crashing plane scenario. :)]

This kind of support, sharing and structure is what I hope to give you in the Mixed Media Printmakers Online Retreat. I want to help you find the space, time and tools to have some fun with printing, collaging and bookmaking.

I think that this kind of supported action will help to feed your art practice.

Read the details on the printmaking workshop page and join us today. Class starts July 7th.

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Writing to assist your ART making

combined techniques / Linda Germain / June 29, 2018

Do you use text in your art work?
Do you write “morning pages”?
Do you scribble to it is illegible?
Or can you create beautiful fonts by hand?

I am a scribbler. I do a form of morning writing. And I love to use text as a textural element to draw the viewer into my work.

I have taken classes that encouraged writing to inform, understand or jumpstart a process/series.

Writing about your process or inspiration can help you to talk to others about your art. When they understand your art, then they will appreciate it more.

People are drawn to text. They want to read it.

I noticed that I read the description cards at the museum. Sometimes I spend more time reading the card than looking at the art. Then the text is getting in the way of my direct experience. So I try to look at the art first and them maybe read a bit of the info card.