mark making tools

Found tool for Printmaking without a press

mark making tools / /

Jar opener as stamping tool with the gelatin plate - Linda germainI see printmaking tools all around me. Today I am going to share how a rubber jar opener can be used to work into the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate.

The idea is to work into the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate. So I use the rubber jar opener to lift off ink. It eventually becomes coated with ink and then I can use it to apply delicate marks back on to the plate.

Jar opener as printmaking tool

I challenge you to dig through your miscellaneous kitchen utensil drawer and see if you have a rubber jar opener that could become a new printmaking tool.

The magic  starts to happen when you play with many pieces of paper and layer your marks. If you would like some help exploring gelatin printmaking, with the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes, the online printmaking course. 

  • Early bird registration opens January 24, 2016
  • Next session will be offered in February 22, 2016
Love Making Monotypes?
Get my Top Ten Tools

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

 

 

Found tool for Printmaking without a press Read More »

Printmaking techniques inspired by back to school supplies

mark making tools / /
notebooks, erasers and index cards are good printmaking supplies
School supplies are good for many printmaking techniques

I love this time of year, back to school.

Maybe it is because I went to school for 19 years.  I love getting new notebooks and erasers and pencils. These things still fit into my printmaking life.

  • Notebooks – great for journalling ideas
  • Pencils – sketching and tiny stamping tools
  • Erasers – good for craving relief blocks
  • Index cards – for quick monotype prints

If you love going back to school too.  Then you might like to join online printmaking class.

 

Printmaking techniques inspired by back to school supplies Read More »

How do you care for your Brayers?

mark making tools / /

header

How do you care for your tools?

I love having lots of brayers available, so that I don’t have to stop and clean them, when I am in the flow of printmaking.  Since they are an expensive tool, I want to take care of them, so they will last a long time.

A good brayer spins easily and evenly.  I often check the spin quality, before I buy them if I can.  So to keep your brayers spinning for many years to come, I suggest:

  1. When printing rest the brayer on the metal cross bar rather than the rubber roller.
  2. Don’t let acrylic paint or other quick drying supplies dry on your brayer
  3. Have a bucket and rag handy while working to clean as you go.
  4. Roll the brayer on clean pages of a phone book to remove most of the ink before washing
  5. Never use hot, hot water or harsh cleaners on your brayer
  6. Get those hard to reach nooks and crannies clean on the sides and edges of your brayer.  That is where the ink likes to hide.
  7. If you share your tools, then make sure your friends know how to care for the brayer too.

Those are some quick tips to keep those brayers rolling.

If you are interested in learning more of my printmaking tips join me in a class soon. Read about the current printmaking classes here.

Happy Printing!

How do you care for your Brayers? Read More »

Printing Tools on Tuesday

mark making tools / /

paper tube stamping tools for printmaking by linda germain I have seen these paper tube projects on pinterest and was inspired to make a stamping tool for gelatin printing.

So simple to make and yet I am thinking they will create a lovely delicate mark in the ink on the gelatin plate.

  • I used just one small tube and
  • cut it into 1/2 ovals.
  • I use the paper cutter to cut them evenly
  • Then I used the hot glue gun
  • to hold them  all together.
  • I tried not to get globs of glue on the bottom
  • because those globs will print.

I did not have time today to try out my new printing tool but I will this week and then share some images with you.

 

If you have already printed with this tool and a picture then share them with the gelatin printmaking flickr group.

stamping tool for gelatin printmaking by linda germain
Arrange the ovals and hot glue together.
stamping tool for gelatin printmaking by linda germain
ready to glue.

If you are interested in a gelatin printmaking workshop with me, then please check out the schedule here.  I keep the classes small so you get the most from you gelatin print class.

Printing Tools on Tuesday Read More »

Treasured Tools – Printmaking

mark making tools / /

treasured tools for printmaking by linda germainTreasured tools,  we all have our favorite tools right?

  • Do you always choose that special brush that fits your hand perfectly?
  • Or the one brayer that rolls just right?
  • Or the jar of ink that is the perfect consistency?

I definitely have my favorite tools for gelatin printing.  This picture shows 2 of them.  Can you see the delicate grasses  on the left?  Not all grass and weeds are the same.

I look for grasses that are:

  • thin but sturdy
  • delicate and slightly dried, (fresh and green are weak)
  • long enough for my paper
  • variety of sizes

My second treasured tool is the metal film reel and other hand held metal pieces that I can use to stamp into the ink and remove ink or apply a thin layer of ink to the gelatin plate.delicate grasses for gelatin printmaking

Today a team came to my studio to talk to me about the creative economy in Haverhill, MA.  They are putting together a video for the next Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council.  I got to show them the wonders of gelatin printmaking.  They were impressed with what was possible with a bit of ink, a slab of gelatin and some delicate grasses.

What are your go to treasured tools?

Treasured Tools – Printmaking Read More »