Fine line details possible with screen printing

screen printing / /

Every printmaking process has its advantages and disadvantages. I try to keep that in mind when I am choosing a process for a certain design.

For example, gelatin printmaking is experimental and unpredictable. So I use that process for one of a kind, layered and textured designs.

mixed media gelatin print by linda germain

Block printing is great for bold shapes and repetitive patterns.

hand printed cards by linda germain

For fine lines and details of sketches I like to use emulsion based screen printing techniques. You can buy emulsion coated mesh screens from EzScreenPrint.com The eliminates the need to coat and create your own emulsion screen. This is great for folks who do not have a large space or who want to print smaller sized images. Thermofax screens are an emulsion based process as well.

I have been exploring the EZScreen Print process, because I have not been happy with the way my Thermofax machine has been burning screens.

EzScreen Print on fabric or paper

Lower left is screen with image “burned” into it.

“Burning screens” means to create the design on the emulsion screen. Emulsion is light sensitive. It hardens on the mesh screen when it is exposed to light.

So you take a black and white image printed on a clear transparency. Tightly sandwich the image to the coated screen and expose it to light. The light hardens all the space around the black image. The emulsion under the black image is still soft.

The next step is to soak the exposed screen in water. The soft emulsion that was under the black design washes away and you are left with a screen with tiny holes only where the black image blocked the light.

Get the FREE tutorial today.

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What stimulates your creativity?

inspiration / /

I have been thinking about things that I use to feed my creativity and printmaking. I challenge you to do the same. You may be surprised.

Inspirations for Creativity

1 – Shadows

Shadows are a big source of creative ideas for me. I use shadows to create stencils for printmaking and catalyst for drawings.bike shadow reference for stencil

Cycling shadow was used to create a stencil.

notice early morning cast shadows

Notice early morning or late afternoon cast shadow.

shadows of a figure can inspire printmaking tools

Long shadows cast by your own body.

2 – Weathered, worn and rich patinas

I see beauty in decay

I am inspired the moss and paint textures of this concrete. I might try to create something similar when gelatin printmaking.

3 – Architectural patterns

patterns inspire printmaking tools

These things are everywhere and since many of us have camera phone with us all the time, then it is easy to capture this inspiration.

4 – Family, kids and friends

Family and friends can be inspiring in many ways, as subjects, as energy, and mental ideas.

family as inspiration

I have used my twin nephews as subjects for stencils, drawing, paintings and prints. Spread the LOVE!

5 – Books and the Library

This source for ideas is so obvious that we might forget about it. Visit your library today.

Books and library as source of printmaking ideas
6 – Musuems  and Art Exhibits

Museums and art exhibits to stimulate ideas

The art show does not even have to be fancy. I have been inspired by the raw, honest expression of young children at the local elementary school.

7 – View out the Window

The window is like a frame and can focus your attention if you let it. I watched an enjoyable movie Maudie about a Canadian folk artist who painted what she saw out her real window.

window view can be come a source for art making

After a recent snow storm my eye was drawn to the tire tracks in the parking lot just below my window.

8 – Art Classes stimulate new ideas

This one is pretty obvious. A workshop or longer class always inspires my printmaking.

sketchbooks created during a class

These sketchbooks were created during an online class on Urban sketching. And they eventually ended up in an exhibit at the Portland Public Library.

Book of sketches by Linda Germain

I invite you to pause and notice your sources of inspiration. If you need a boost, seek out one of those sources and make stuff!

If you would like to take an online class on Gelatin Printmaking consider the Gelatin Printmaking Workshop, a 15 lesson self-study. It is available to you right now.

Read the details on the printmaking workshop page and register today.

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Go beyond your assumptions – printmaking tools

gelatin prints on fabric / /

Today I found a twig in the snow at the end of my snowshoe though the woods. It stopped me and I picked it up with the hopes of using it as a stenciling tool for printmaking.

twig to use as a stencil for gelatin printmaking

It is much thicker than what I usually use for found object stencils when gelatin printmaking. But I gently flattened it the best I could.

5 by 7 gelatin plate for monotypes

I had a small 5″ x 7″ plate, so I randomly printed on a sack cloth yellow, orange and brown inks.

screen printing inks for gelatin printing on fabric

I tried using the twig in the traditional way, as a masking stencil. And it was ok, but I did not love the impression. So I tried using it as a “rubbing” tool. I place it under the fabric and gently rolled over the area of the fabric with an inked brayer. That approach worked pretty well.

hand printed sack cloth

So I learned that if something inspires me, then keep playing with the possibilities until it works. Keep on playing!

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Making Gelatin plates for Printing Workshop

monotype print / /

Today, I am making some small gelatin and glycerin plates for the Printing with Botanicals Workshop on March 11th at Nunan’s Florist.

Supplies to make a small gelatin plate

We will be printing cards with small ferns and leaves, ink and the gelatin plate.

Printing botanicals on the gelatin plate

There is one space left in the 3:30 to 5:30 session. Read the details on the workshop page and join us if you can.

If you are not local and would still like to explore gelatin printing making, I have 2 options available to you right now.

  1. The Gelatin Printmaking Workshop – 15 lesson online self study – get more info here.
  2. Or the Monoprinting Fabric class – 4 week online group class that explores printing on fabric with ink and the gelatin plate. This class starts Monday March 12 so read the details and join us today.

 

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Flour sack towels fun for printing

fabric prints / /

If you follow me, then you know that I am a process person and often don’t care about getting a result. But I have found a way to play and have a product.

Flour Sack Cloths!

gelatin print flour sacks

I got 5 white flour sack cloths at Walmart for less than $5. They are about 27″ square. They are thin and a bit textured.

I find that they are a good size for printing on. They are pretty ease to move around my work table and still be able to reach all of the fabric.

print on flour sack cloths

One thing that I love about printing on these flour sack cloths is that I get to enjoy my handiwork. I use them for hand towels and dish towels around the kitchen.

If you want to explore hand printing on fabric, then join us in the next session of Monoprint Fabric, the online printmaking class. Read the details and sign up today. Class starts March 12th, 2018.

 

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