2010

High Contrast Image make good Thermofax Screens

2010 / /
High contrast photos, drawings and text can make great thermofax screens
9 thermofax screen prints based on drawings, clip art and text

There is a lot of interest in screen printing.  It is kind of a sexy process that most people are aware of but really don’t know what is involved.  We all have screen printed t-shirts and tote bags. Above I used:

  • My own line drawings for the shoe and flowers images
  • Clip art (copyright free) for the butterfly and coffee cup
  • Text for the “Love” print

The possibilities are endless for creating screens for printing.  I find that I prefer my own drawings, photos and text to using copyright free work.  

So this is your challenge, start thinking about your own imagery, drawings, photos and text.  Would they make a high contrast image that would be good for a thermofax screen? Collect them all in a folder.

If you would like to take an online printmaking course in screen printing with the thermofax screens, then join the special interest group and I will keep you posted.

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It’s all About the Printing Plate – Make Monotypes

2010, gelatin plate tips / /
It's all about the Printing Plate in Make Monotypes with Linda Germain
It’s all about the Printing Plate in Make Monotypes with Linda Germain

Yesterday, I melted down 6 or 7 glycerin and gelatin printing plates.  These plates last a long time compared to the gelatin and water printing plate that I used a few years ago.    These plates are so strong and flexible and they do not have to be refrigerated like the gelatin and water recipe.

Why bother making the plate when I could just buy a plate that lasts for ever?

  1. I can make the plate any size or shape that I like.
  2. It is a less expensive way to try out the process.
  3. I like how the homemade plate holds and transfers images and marks

The plate is malleable but strong.  I think the water in the plate and the water in the ink work well together to hold and transfer a delicious delicate mark.  The next session of Make Monotypes starts June 2nd and early bird registration begins May 7th.  Make sure you are on the list, this class has filled very quickly  in the past.  Check out the schedule, supplies and and FAQ’s

Delicate monotype prints on the gelatin and glycerin plate - Linda Germain
Delicate monotype prints on the gelatin and glycerin plate – Linda Germain

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Drawing that might become a thermo fax screen print

2010, drawings / /
quick line drawing could become a screen for printmaking by Linda Germain
quick line drawing could become a screen for printmaking by Linda Germain

Daffodils were one of the first things that I can remember enjoying drawing as a kid.  Recently, I friend gave me two bundles of fresh daffodils, and I am enjoying them at all stages of  bloom and decay.  Line drawings like these can be easily turned into a thermofax screen for printmaking.

Once I started doing the quick drawings, it was hard to stop.  I took a bunch of pictures from different angles and all in the warm sunlight of my new studio windows.

inspiration for line drawings by linda germain
inspiration for line drawings by linda germain

I am currently just beginning week three of Make Monotypes.  We are exploring texture and tools next week.  If you are interested in more details about this online printmaking class, then check out all the info at MakeMonotypes.com

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Still Moving into the Studio

2010, inspiration / /
Hanging prints in my new studio - Linda Germain
Hanging prints in my new studio – Linda Germain

Today, I painted a wall and hung up some work to make the studio a little more like me.  I have been thinking about, printing, schedules, blogging and teaching.  What do you do to maintain balance?  I seem to work in spurts, not really a steady pace.  Seems to me that it is beneficial to know my work style and to plan around that rather and to fight it and feel bad.  What is your work style?  What do you do to get things done?

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Print Project in my new Studio

2010 / /

thermo fax screen print by linda germainI was able to take advantage of my new studio space last week.  I pull 300 thermofax screen prints of a delicate flower to give away as part of a goodie bag at the WOW conference next week.  I could not have do this big project in my old space.  It was affirming to be able to put the new studio to work right away.

I still have most everything in boxes.  I can’t find what I am looking for most of the time.  But I have 22 sun filled windows.

Happy Printing!

 

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