mark making

Easy to make library pocket for sketchbooks

mark making, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I have been enjoying adding little pockets to my sketchbooks. I thought you might like it too. So here is a quick video:

Supplies that you will need:

  • index card or 4″ x 6″ paper
  • scissors
  • glue
  • art supplies to decorate

decorate pocket with stamped marks

You can fill your sketchbook pockets with tiny art work, blank paper or other notes.

library pocket in sketchbook

I often decorate with hand stamped marks, crayon, watercolor and markers.  If you want to learn how make ting foam stamps, then check out the details of my online class, Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books. All the lessons are available now. This technique is great for making holiday tags, cards and small bits of wrapping paper.

hand stamp holiday tags and cards

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Stamping backgrounds

mark making, stamping tools / /

I used my tiny handmade stamps to print some over all backgrounds. It is an easy way to get started in my sketchbook when I am feeling distracted.

hand stamped sketchbook page

I made a bunch of unique stamps with sticky backed foam. I like to ink these small stamps with broad tipped markers. This way I can ink the stamp with more than one color.

hand printed sketchbook page

Making several impressions with out re-inking allows me to make impressions with a range of value from light to dark. This makes for an interesting print.

hand stamped trees

Because these marks are hand printed, I can apply pressure to different parts of the stamp to get darker or lighter prints. The imperfect and incomplete trees above were created with just the one stamp. If you would like to explore this low tech method of mark making then check out the online class Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books.

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Stamp some marks

foam plate printmaking, mark making, mark making tools, mixed media printmaking, stamping tools / /

Why I like to work with tiny foam stamps:

They are fast and easy to make. You just need sticky back foam sheets and something to stick it to. I like to use recycled styrofoam produce trays. But you can use sturdy thin cardboard too.

supplies for making foam stamps

The stamped image can be simple but still impactful. Sometimes geometric shapes and patterns are enough. I like to keep the stamps small so they are easy to ink and print.

It can be addictive to make piles and piles of stamps. And yet they take up very little space and are quite easy to store.

tiny foam stamps by linda germain

I like to keep a sample book with a record of stamps that I have already made especially the word stamps.

They are easy to ink and print. I like to use broad nibbed markers. This avoids the need to buy a bunch of stamp pads that just dry out too fast. I can even use more than one color at a time.

foam stamp image

It is easy to make impressions of different values rather quickly. This can add depth to the print.

And they dry quickly and support the flow of working in my sketchbook.

foam stamping in sketchbook

I invite you to explore tiny stamp making with me. Read all the details of the new Stamp Making and Mixed Media Workshop.

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Make FREE events fit your style

book arts, drawings, inspiration, mark making, sketchbook ideas / /

I am a speaker in this years Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend. The event is packed with:

  • artist teachers
  • topics and materials and
  • Bonus resources

working in multiple sketchbooks

For me it can be a little overwhelming. But I have found a few ways to make the information manageable and to fit my learning style.

  1. I sign up for the FREE subscription
  2. I skim the daily videos
  3. Do only the lessons that inspire me
  4. Tweak the technique to my process

These approaches take the pressure off and let me experiment with new skills that I might want to incorporate into my sketchbook practice.

upside down thumbnail practice

So I invite you to join us in this years Sketchbook Revival. Click here to register for FREE. And be sure to adjust the event to your learning style.

I am teaching my upside down thumbnails technique on October 1st. Hope to “see” you in class.

upside down thumbnail practice by linda germain

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Just Make Marks

inspiration, mark making, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking, sketchbook ideas, stencils, techniques / /

I am learning that it is enough to just make marks. Joyful marks are even better.

mixed media journal page

Sometimes I can get caught up in needing to know why. Then I usually get stalled by the thinking in my head.

artist book page

The thing is when I just make marks and then more marks and then even more the result is a piece that is uniquely mine.

There is plenty of time in the domain of not knowing. There is some time when the marks seem precious.

When I can accept these states:

  • not knowing
  • dissatisfaction
  • preciousness
  • exploration

then I often get to a place of discovery or satisfaction.

mixed media printmaking

My new favorite mark is spraying pigment through found “stencils.” I diluted watercolor and put the mixture into a small spray bottle.

watercolor in spray bottles

If you try this method be sure to protect your table from the over spray. I love how fast it dries and how transparent the layers are.

found stencils for spritzing technique

All my classes are about mark making of some sort. See if there is one class that interests you.

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