mark making

Find things that feel good

inspiration, mark making / /

Lately, I have been noticing and choosing habits and tools that feel good. For example, I have experimented with different book forms for my sketchbook. And the one that suits my approach to sketch booking is a soft cover coptic stitch 4.5″ x 6″.

sketching by the lake

This book is:

  • small enough to carry on my daily walks
  • flexible and can be folded to lie flat on any page
  • expands a bit to accommodate some collage

drawing tools

I have been looking for soft drawing tools that make strong marks with not too much pressure required.

I found:

  • a black gel pen at the dollar tree store that flows smoothly and is water resistant
  • black sharpie gives a bolder line with little effort
  • Crayola watercolor pencil is easy to make marks with
  • China markers require a little more effort but I like the water resistant quality

mark making papers

I am trying on the daily practice of drawing enso, Zen circles, the meditative circle drawing in a single exhale. I like the idea of connecting with my breath. Now, I have a lot of black circles, so I have been playing with adding color for fun. I experimented with different brushes, to find one that felt good in my hand and created an expressive line.

modified paint brushes for mark making

Even trying out new habits is a way of finding ways to feel good. I often start a method, and then tweak it to my liking. That is why I am playing with adding color to my Ensos.

enos, zen circle with water color

I encourage you to look at your mark making tools and habits and ask:

Does this feel good? Can I do this with ease? And find little things that work for you.

Sometimes an art class can stimulate new habits, if that interests you then check out the current online art classes.

Find things that feel good Read More »

Tear, sew, burn and bind

book arts, collage, combined techniques, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have a pile of paper or prints that you are willing to transform with:

  • tearing into collage shapes
  • sew with or without thread
  • burn or smoke stain and
  • bind or fold into books?

collage on children's board book

If so, then you might enjoy the Mixed Media Retreat, and online class starting soon.

Tear, burn and stitch mixed media art

The class is designed to introduce ideas and techniques into your practice that will transform your papers and prints into books and mixed media prints.

collage with gelatin prints

Each lesson includes:

  1. A simple mark making prompt
  2. A textural layering technique
  3. A book form for reshaping prints and papers
  4. An artist talk to stimulate the mind.

You can get more details and register on the workshop page.

Tear, sew, burn and bind Read More »

Things I tell myself

combined techniques, mark making / /

Art making is often a solitary process. But there is still a lot of conversation during the process.

Mixed media book page

My self talk is always in the background:

  • What I am doing this for?
  • What if I fail?
  • What if I ruin it?
  • How do I know if it is right?
  • Is it good enough?

unique artist book

I try to get beyond those judgments and fears by thinking more about the process than the product. So I say things like:

  • I can trust in the process
  • I don’t need to know
  • The magic happens when I can let go of control
  • It is a one of a kind process
  • Keep what I like
  • Notice what I enjoy
  • Let go of the struggle
  • Less is more
  • Leave some empty space
  • Admire the print

Make marks artist book

I encourage my students to adopt some of these thoughts. In the class, Make Marks and Books we break the steps down into seemingly unrelated elements.

  • We work in a loose book form to give the process a final product.
  • We slowly build up layers of marks to create an intuitive book
  • It is about learning to make space and build connections
  • It is about layering simple marks to create a rich visual story

If you would like to embrace this mark making process, then join us in Make Marks and Books. Read all the details on the workshop page. Class starts soon.

hand crafted artist book

 

Things I tell myself Read More »

Mark Making as a process

artist book, mark making / /

Mark making can be simple or complex. For me it is a process of layering shapes, lines, textures and colors.

make marks

It is some what intuitive and always evolving. The next mark is informed by all those that came before.

make marks

For that reason I like to:

  • leave plenty of white space
  • use transparent layers
  • be willing to not know what is next

Making with a variety of marks like:

  • drawing
  • scribbling
  • stamping or
  • rubbing

leads to prints with a complex texture and visual story. This kind of story is often powerful enough to convey a story with multiple meanings.

Knowing when to leave space and how to connect marks is unique to the maker and is developed through the process.

In the online class, Making Marks and Books we will explore this process of evolving marks to complete a book. Come to class with the skills you already enjoy and explore:

  • gelatin printing thing textures layers
  • tool making with foam and cardboard
  • release feeling and emotion with scribbles

Check out all the details and join us – class starts soon.

make Marks

Mark Making as a process Read More »

Mark making tools

mark making, mark making tools, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have favorite mark making tools?

I do. I love black gel pens that flow smooth and easy. Of course I love to use cut glass to make marks with the gelatin plate. Below you will find more of my favorites.

mark making tools

  1. Black gel pen for contour drawings and fine line doodles.
  2. Kids water based markers for “inking” small relief blocks and drawings.
  3. Soft kids crayons for rubbings and rough line drawings.
  4. Homemade relief stamps for pattern making.
  5. Small set of alphabet stamps for printing words.
  6. Cut glass for making impressions with ink and the gelatin plate.
  7. Small brayer for linear and blocky bold marks.
  8. Red acrylic ink and an eye dropper for bold colorful lines and blobs.
  9. Round and oval caps of all sizes for stamping.
  10. Plastic doily for delicate impressions.
  11. Corrugated cardboard for making designs with the gelatin plate.

Make marks book

Often a combination of marks with different qualities creates an interesting image.

The quality of marks can be:

  • thick or thin
  • bold or delicate
  • aggressive or timid
  • smooth or ragged
  • flat or dimensional
  • and so on

The characteristic of the mark convey a feeling or mood. It is fun to use a unique combination of marks and tools to tell your own story.

We explore several mark making approaches in the online printmaking classes. Check out what classes are currently being offered.

Mark making tools Read More »