masking stencils

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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Feeling the chaos? Maybe simplify

inspiration, masking stencils, monotype print / /

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with ideas and then I can’t choose one to play with. Usually, I go for a walk to get some clarity.

simplified gelatin print

Then when I get back to the studio I have a 1-2-3 to do list. I like to have just three items on the list, that way I don’t get overwhelmed by a long list. When I finish the three activities, then I can make another list of 3.

gel plate print by linda germain

I think this helps to create a sense of accomplishment.

This idea of simplifying can be applied to gelatin printmaking too. I will often:

  • Limit my color palette to cyan and black – classic printmaking colors
  • Use just 3 to 5 stencils of different volume or line quality
  • Print on my standard size paper, so that the prints can be easily turned into books

mock cyanotype with gelatin plate

If you would like to explore simplifying your gelatin prints, then check out the details of the upcoming workshop and join us today. The online class starts March 1st.

less is more print

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Shadow and shapes for drawing

inspiration, masking stencils, tools / /

You know that part of my practice is to go to the woods for inspiration. I love to capture cast shadows and use them as a drawing reference.

shadows and drawing practice

Using the photo as reference seems to help me to see shapes instead of leaves and branches.

shadow shape leaves

I do the outline drawing one day and come back and fill the shadow shape in with black paint on another day.

I hope this inspired you to look for shadow shapes to draw. Sometimes I have to take a lot of shadow pictures before I get one that is good for reference. Got to love our phones and digital cameras.

Sometimes I use shadow shapes to make stencils for gelatin printmaking.

Happy Printing!

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Masking stencil combined with soft foam plates

foam plate printmaking, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking / /

I think a combination of different quality of marks often creates a more interesting print.

soft foam plate relief prints

Foam plate relief printing often creates solid white line kind of mark. You can create variety in the line quality by drawing the plates with different kinds of tools.

In the print above I used a pen, pen cap and found weeds to make the foam plates on the left. But to create the bolder marks on the right I combined a solid plate with “masking stencils.” I used plant material for the lower right image and cut paper stencils to create the shapes on the upper right side.

masking stencils for printmaking without a press

Masking stencils like those shown above are not usually used in relief printing. But if they are super flat they can be combined with a plain unmarked foam plate with pleasing results.

Foam plate monoprint on paper - Linda Germain

I thought of this combination of materials, because as a gelatin printmaker I have stacks and stacks of masking stencils.

So as you work on creating your mixed media prints be open to combining processes and materials in new and unconventional ways.

Multi color Foam relief print Linda Germain

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Build your design skills – gelatin printmaking

Gelatin plate print, masking stencils, techniques, tools / /

Gelatin printmaking is fast and gives you immediate feedback about composition and design skills. That is one reason that I love the process.

gelatin prints by linda germain

Art school teaches us to make thumbnail drawings and plan our composition first. I just don’t have the patience for that approach.

Gelatin plate prints by Linda Germain

I like the trial and error approach of making lots of prints. And over time my design skills have grown and I had fun in the process. And I want to share that approach and what I have learned with you in the online printmaking workshops.

Gel monotype print by Linda Germain

We will create growth and success by:

  • Getting to know your masking stencils and how to get strong impressions
  • Limiting the colors so we can create prints with a strong range of value
  • Using a small standard size paper to get a dynamic division of space

These boundaries will give you the structure to support new understanding of the tools and how the impressions are created. This should create success and happiness!

Make gelatin prints

I hope you will check out the online printmaking classes.

Gelatin Monotype print

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