Use your drawings to create printing plates.

If you have been following me for a while, then you know I don’t love to draw. So I find ways to “maximize” my drawings. That means that I take a drawing and turn it into a printing matrix.

The drawing might become:

• a trace monoprint
• a relief block
• a foam plate
• a thermofax screen or
• a stencil for making monotypes

If you are like me and love to make stuff, but would rather play with ink, layer, and texture than do drawings then check out the current online printmaking classes.

I did a city scape inspired by the roof tops in my town. There was no exciting skyline, so I just did some sketches of the details that I was attracted to.

Then I combined the different sketches into a skyline. I think I have enough sketches to last me quite a while. I could not fit them all into one drawing.

I used my printer to make a few copies. I also printed a mirror image and an inverted image. These types of copies help when designing relief blocks and trace monoprints.

I will do some more experimenting with these relief stamps, but I do like how they capture the feel of the old mill town that I live in.

The trace monoprint above was done pretty quickly, so the ink would not dry. I may add some collage to the bottom of the buildings.

I was pleased with this ghost impression of the print above. I used a heavy weight printmaking paper, soaked and blotted it. Then laid it on top of the left over ink and burnished with an old door knob. Because I am working with water based inks, this does not always work. Today I was lucky.

I used tea bags to create a collage and then did the trace monoprint. I like the idea. I just think the tea bags are a little to dark and over powering. I will try something else to create a background next time.

So check out the details of the SEE draw and print, online printmaking workshop. It may be just what you need to give your drawing and printmaking a boost.

Thermofax machines were used to make copies in the 1990’s I think. Now they are treasures to mixed media artists, printmakers and tattoo artists.

These big bulky machines can makes screens for printing in a matter of seconds. All you do is place a carbon based copy against the emulation coated screen and run it through the machine. Watch the video.

You can buy these machines and the emulsion coated screens from Welsh Products. I got my machine from them a few years ago.

Or I do offer a starter kit of 8 screens. It is a nice way to get started, and to see if you actually like and would use the process in your art making.

For example, I added the spirograph flower design to this gelatin monotype with a thermofax screen from the starter kit.

I used 4 of the screens in the kit to print this overall random pattern on this fabric, then sewed it into a bag.

I used the dragonfly screen to make a series of cards. So I am sure that you could create some beautiful images with the 8 designs that come with the thermofax starter kit.

This Kit is no longer available.