2010

Making Monotypes without a Press

2010, inspiration / /
montage of monotype Prints by linda germain
montage of monotype Prints

How can you make prints without having a printing press?  You can use  few different methods:

Each method has it’s strengths and weakness, and therefore is better for certain applications.

A few years back, I took an intro to printmaking class and was hooked, but after the class ended I did not have a press to work with.

I tried an open studio at a local college but that was limiting too.  Eventually I found gelatin plate monotype printing and it was love at first “print.”  It is the ability to obtain a wonderful detailed impression without having a press that is the attraction for me. I also love the immediate, fluid process of gelatin printmaking.  Also I use non-toxic water based inks with the gelatin plate, which is good because I seem to be sensitive to oil based inks now.

Hand cut stencils can be used over and over again, but each time the impression is going to be different.

Mark making tools affect the ink differently every time.  I love that.

Do you prefer surprise or sameness?  If you are into surprise then be sure to join my mailing list to be the first to know about my upcoming e-course on Making Monotype with the Gelatin Plate.

Enjoy!

Linda

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Printing over Gelatin Plate Prints

2010 / /

gelatin print and a thermo fax screen printWhat do you to with your gelatin plate prints?  Gelatin printmaking can produce piles of possibilities.  That is how approach it.  I make lots of books and journals.  And now that I have thermo fax machine I will be screen printing over some of those monoprints.

If you are interested in Jump Starting your Gelatin Printmaking – the ecourse then sign up for the mailing list and you will be the first to know when registration opens.

Happy Printing

Linda

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I made the cut – MVEC – Haverhill Video

2010, Haverhill / /

gelatin plate prints by linda germain for sale on easy

Haverhill is changing and growing.  That’s a good thing.  A few weeks back the Merrimack Valley Economic Council sent a video crew to my studio to interview me about the artistic opportunity in the city.  So I got my 10 seconds of fame. :).  It is a pretty good summary of what Haverhill looks like today.    Here’s the Haverhill Video Link.

If you would like to check out Haverhill, my studio and jump into gelatin printmaking then sign up for the next class on Sunday, October 20th.  Go to the workshop page for the details.

Happy Printing,

Linda

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New thermoFAX Machine for Screen Printing

2010 / /

Thermo Fax machine for screen printingI am so happy to share a picture of my “new thermofax machine with you.  By “new,” I mean new to me.  It is a 3M  – 45 “Secretary” Infrared Transparency Maker.  So we are talking pre-copy machine days for most offices.  It is huge and weighs 42 pounds, but I love it.

The things I can do with the Thermo Fax machine:

  1. “Burn” screens for printing
  2. Make screens from drawings and doodles instantly
  3. Create very detailed screens from high contrast photos
  4. Make Screens for paper, fabric and book projects

I have shared some fish prints that I made with a thermofax screen over gelatin print in my Etsy shop StudioGermain.

Today I played around with a dragon fly screen that I made from a copyright free image.

  • Get a pile of papers, books or fabrics ready to print on
  • Have a rag handy for inky fingers
  • Use a slightly padded surface to pull your prints (I used a piece of felt)
  • Pull lots of prints
  • Clean your screen with tepid water right away

Lots of Screen prints by linda germain

I offer an online screen printing class. Read the details on the workshop page. I think it will be a great way to share the benefits of the printing process with others.

If you want to learn more about this online printing class then stay on the mailing list,  and I will keep you posted.

Screen Printing Kit

If you would like to give Thermofax screen printing a try, then get the Thermofax Starter Kit.

You will get the 8 images as shown in the kit image and access to 4 videos to help you prepare the screens, print and care for them as well. Get all the info and watch some videos on the screen printing starter kit page.

8 piece Thermofax Screen starter kit with Pulling Screen Prints the online printmaking course with Linda Germain
8 piece Thermofax Screen starter kit with Pulling Screen Prints the online printmaking course with Linda Germain

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