drawings

Drawing habit to support printmaking

Draw to improve printmaking skills and options Linda GermainI love found marks and tools.

Drawing for me is work, not really pure joy. But the longer I am an artist the more I realize that drawing opens up options.

I think one thought that holds me back is the idea that I have to draw the “teacher’s” way, or realistically, or something other than what I do.

Funny, why don’t I give myself more space to play, experiment and learn to draw freely with more confidence and less judgment.

Lately, I have been doing some quick line drawings of teapots. Strong expressive line drawings are perfect for photo emulsion screen printing.

 

Different types of drawing are best for different screen printing methods:

  • Great shapes with good negative space would be good for paper stencils
  • Strong bold line drawings would be good for the screen filler and drawing fluid method
  • Dark and delicate details would be good for photo emulsion screen printing method.

Check out upcoming online printmaking workshops.

 

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Love Line as a design Element

Line drawing in printmaking linda germain
Simple line drawings can make powerful impressions

Line is often the first element of design that is taught in a basic art course. I love line whether it is simple and clear like the flower drawings of Ellsworth Kelly or the figure drawing by Matisse. (Do a google image search of the underlined terms and see if you agree)

Yet, I am also moved by the scribbles of Cy Twombly or some of the drip paintings of Jackson Pollock or the bold black brush strokes of Franz Kline.

  • We all use line everyday in writing.
  • We are familiar with it.
  • Very few materials are needed
  • Line can direct the viewer
  • It can guide you through a piece
  • It can connect elements of the piece

How do you feel about line? Love it? Or leave it?

Have you ever:

  • done gesture drawings of a live model?
  • contour drawings of every day objects?
  • made thick bold expressive marks with black paint?

Notice how you already use line in your art making. See if there is a technique or approach or style that you would like to play with.

Enjoy!

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Drawing that might become a thermo fax screen print

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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Drawing for Inspiration

©2006 linda germain
approx 18′ x 24″
charcoal on paper

I don’t love drawing, and I often search for something to draw.  I do love loose expressive line and charcoal.  I wish that I had a habit of drawing in my practice.  It feels like a chore.  But I usually do get a payoff when I do draw.  When I come back to the sketch a day or two later, I am often pleasantly pleased.  I am inspired by those who commit to their drawing practice.  Do you have a regular drawing practice?  Do you enjoy it?  What do you draw?  Inspire me Please.

Post by Linda Germain

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