Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Finding Time to Make ART

inspiration / Linda Germain / January 21, 2017

I love the timer on my iPad Mini. I can trick myself into action by setting the the 20 minute timer.

I say to myself,

“Ok let’s see what I can do in 20 minutes. Then I can quit or go have some fun.”

Usually about one hour later, I have done three 20 minute sessions and have my task done. I use this timer trick for anything that I want to do but for some reason I am resisting doing it.

testing new printing tools
writing blog posts
cleaning my studio
even playful printing

The thing I love about my iPad timer is that it has fun tunes to choose as “alarms.” So after 20 minutes, I heard this pleasant rewarding sound, and I feel good about what I have just accomplished. Usually it is really easy to continue on for another 20 minutes.

Do you have ways to motivate yourself into action? Try the 20 minute timer trick and see if it helps.

Happy printing!

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New tools for printmaking

stencil print / Linda Germain / January 20, 2017

I had been hearing about the Xcut X-Press craft machine from Annie Day and the Printmaking sisters in Australia. They use this small embossing craft machine to make beautiful waterless lithography prints, etching prints and lino cut prints.

I know I prefer the immediacy of monoprinting with the gelatin plate. I really like the non-toxic water based inks that I use, but I still wanted to check out this small, inexpensive “printing press.”

And I am glad that I did. For about $130.00 I now have a little press for making experimental prints. I have tried printing:

foam core intaglio etching
foam relief plate
paper stencil
used Akua intaglio ink
tried water soluble pastels
water based speedball block printing inks

I am going to play around with some collagraph plates. And see what happens.

The tree print above was made from a cut paper card that I found at Extras for Creative Reuse, the local recycling center for artists, teachers and other creative people.

I inked the delicate paper card with speedball block printing ink and ran is through my new little press. I was happy with the print on the right, even though the ink coverage was a little uneven. The card is delicate and will probably not last too long, but I liked figuring out how to use the “tools” and water based inks that I have around.

This is a quick print that I did with an etched foam core plate. I made this at the Book Arts course at USM last summer. It is a piece or foam core coated with gloss medium. Then you just draw into it with and etching needle, you can pull off the first layer of paper as well.

The plate is pretty worn, but I was happy with the quick prints that I made on rice paper and masa paper. I used Akua intaglio inks for that process.

Happy Printing!

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Tools to make rubbings

tools / Linda Germain / January 13, 2017

I found a few new tools at Extra’s for Creative Reuse this week. I had my eye out for blocks with clean raised edges and patterns.

Above you can see I did some test prints on dry cotton fabric, with screen printing ink. I am quite happy with how crisply they printed up.

If you are hunting for found object rubbing plates, look for:

level blocks
strong raised marks or patterns
sizes that you can easily handle

I used a stencil to make the flower shape and then the white rubbing plate to make the random interesting line. I like the ragged, frayed edge. I would like to figure out a way to use it in the final design.

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Limit the elements to simplify the monoprint

fabric prints / Linda Germain / January 7, 2017

I made another pillow cover with some monoprinted fabric. I wanted to see if I could simplify the design.

I would say I was able to simplify the pillow cover in many ways, compared to the pillow I did last week.

This is what I did differently:

I used full size fabric pieces so I did not have to piece the cover together
I used just one color
I limited my tools to 3 stamping/rubbing tools and one stencil

I found a couple of interesting mark making tools at Extras for Creative Reuse, our local recycle store. I just loved the designs and patterns on this Sperry Sandal. And the geometric patter of this tile piece inspired me.

I tested them out and they worked OK, not a fabulously as I had hoped. But they could still inspired some foam relief plates.

I mainly used them to create light brayer rubbings in the background. I relied on the the bold flower stencil to create the darker marks and the focus of the fabric print.

I had the straight line “tool” in my stash of found object mark making tools. I am sure I got it at Extras for Creative Reuse a while back. I like how I have a uneven =, dynamic balance of marks, motion and value.

You still have time to join us in Monoprinting on Fabric. Class starts soon. Read the details on the printmaking workshop page and register today.

You will make your own fabric for pillows and more.

Students are liking Monoprinting on Fabric

Gelatin Printing on Fabric Loved it! 3 key approaches I have learned

bubbles/imperfections in the gelatine plate can be a good thing – it does NOT have to be perfectly smooth,

doing a brayer rubbings on a piece of fabric and

finally being able to get a coordinated set of prints.

Thank you everyone in the class for your comments and adding to the learning process. Erin J. from Australia

Monoprinting Fabric has been a wonderful class…so well presented.

I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

from Candee L from the US

Check out some student work in this video.

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Video of Student Monoprints on Fabric

fabric prints / Linda Germain / January 4, 2017

Monoprinting on fabric is fast and experimental.

Check out some prints made by the participants of the last session of Monoprinting on fabric, the online printmaking course.

Monoprintng on Fabric – Student work from Linda Germain on Vimeo.

If this looks fun to you, then you are in luck. The next session of this printmaking class starts soon. Read the details and join us today.

Students are learning a lot:

Monoprinting Fabric is an enjoyable and valuable learning experience. I will miss the daily anticipation of what new technique was coming next. Linda provided an excellent foundation to build on, and I am grateful for her expertise and willingness to share it with us. I look forward to another class with you. Kathy I. from the US

Gelatin Printing on Fabric Loved it! 3 key approaches I have learned

bubbles/imperfections in the gelatine plate can be a good thing – it does NOT have to be perfectly smooth,

doing a brayer rubbings on a piece of fabric and

finally being able to get a coordinated set of prints.

Thank you everyone in the class for your comments and adding to the learning process. Erin J. from Australia

Video of Student Monoprints on Fabric Read More »