mixed media printmaking

Books a good way to show off your monoprints

artist book, handmade books, mixed media printmaking / /

piles of prints with potentialIf you are an experimental monotype printmaker like me, then you probably have a lot of prints and papers with potential.

stab bound book of monotype prints

The books above are bound in the manner of Japanese Stab binding. This form works well with a soft cover and hard back, and a long landscape style format. We will learn this book form in the Mixed Media Retreat.

accordion style books

Accordion style books are great for display.

I think the natural evolution is to start making books with some of those prints. Things you could make with your prints:

  • book covers
  • end pages
  • whole bound book of prints
  • spine covers

Pamphlet stitched books

Pamphlet stitch binding easy and useful.

If you are curious to get started with some simple book forms, then check out the details, of the online Mixed Media Retreat. We will learn 6 book forms and several layering techniques that will put your prints to good use.

soft cover coptic stitch binding

Soft cover coptic binding is great for books that open flat.

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Spring time – Good for rusting paper

artist book, mixed media printmaking, rust prints / /

You may call me crazy. But I like to collect rusted bits of debris found on the side of the road.

Rusted papers in art journal

Spring in New England, is a good time to find bits of rusted metal on the side of the road. And things are even pre-flatted. 🙂

collect rusted metal from city streets

I have a rusted cookie sheet and a collection of flat rusted things. Once or twice a year I like to rust up some paper or fabric.

rust paper

It is easy to do, but yields unpredictable results.

  1. Get your rusty things wet
  2. Wet your paper
  3. Stack the rusty stuff on your paper
  4. Get the most contact possible. I like to put some weight on top
  5. You can spritz with vinegar/water mix
  6. Don’t cover. You need air to oxidize the metal.
  7. Wait over night (that is the hard part)

rust printing paper

Then you have some paper wit wonderfully aged patina. I have used it for:

Give it a try!

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Failure informs

artist book, collage, inspiration, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / /

Every time things don’t work out as I had hoped, it is an opportunity for me to learn something.

mixed media sketchbook linda germain

I could learn:

  • I don’t really like that technique
  • I need more instructions
  • I could use some practice
  • Am I using the right tools?
  • Maybe I need more time
  • Is it possible with the way that I am approaching it?

Accordion book with gelatin prints

I could ask those kinds of questions about almost any situation in life, art, business, family or well being.

collage poem by linda germain

And I think for me it is easier to fail, and asks those questions in the art area of my life. For some reason, I have let it be a process of discovery that includes lots of learning through “failing.”

make lots of gelatin prints

I have said it before, but if I get two out of 10 prints that I love, then I consider that a success. And it usually takes learning something from those other 8 prints to get those prints that I love.

So it is important that I enjoy the process and not just the end result.

sketchbooks by Linda Germain

I have been doing stuff in sketchbooks lately. And I realized I wanted the end result faster, I wanted to finish the sketchbook. Hmmm? This was not me loving the process.

I tried different approaches:

  • Made smaller books
  • Tried different book forms
  • Carried it with me
  • Allowed myself to write, doodle, collage, paint, print, what ever

I have not found my happy sketchbook practice yet, but I am learning a lot in the process.

make gelatin prints into books Linda Germain

If you would like some guidance and support in Simplifying your gelatin prints, then join us in the online workshop –SIMPLIFY- make powerful gelatin prints. Get all the details on the workshop page.

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The woods as my inspiration

handmade books, mixed media printmaking, stencils / /

I have been taking daily walks in the woods by the lake. I take photos but they don’t really capture the connection that I feel.

brown bag book cover

Yesterday, I decided to play with printing trees with torn paper stencils and the gelatin plate. Torn paper has a wonderful ragged and organic edge.

torn paper stencils for gelatin printmaking

I wanted to create an abstract and somewhat natural feel to the printed woods scapes.

gelatin plate monotype prints

I experimented with speedball water based block printing ink and a little bit of acrylic. The first impression gave me the very dark background with white tree shapes. The second impression produced lovely light spot trees, similar to a birch tree.

mixed media gel plate print

I was having fun, but I wanted to create more  range of value and some darker tree shapes. The printing session was a bit up and down with being pleased with the prints and being frustrated. That is usual for me.

accordion book of gelatin prints by linda germain

I printed a second day and was pleased with some of the prints. I glued several into an accordion book and then did some collage and doodling.

concertina style book of gelatin monotype prints by linda germain

Even though they are just torn paper stencils, I think I will save them for another day of printing.

Check out current classes.

Happy Printing!

book by linda germain

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Collecting books – as art materials

mixed media printmaking / /

I love to recycle and reuse stuff as art supplies. This is pretty easy to do as a paper based artist.

books as art supplies

Books as ART Materials is an online class that starts soon. I am getting ready for class and realized that I have 5 big boxes of books, book parts and sample pieces. Hmmm?

collect books make art

Most books will have some positive quality:

  • great cover cloth
  • strong book board
  • wonderfully aged pages
  • spine bits and aparts

If you are thinking about joining us in Books as ART Materials, then now is a good time to start collecting old books.

Qualities and features to look for in old books:

  • Old but not precious
  • music book
  • big kids book
  • cloth covers
  • foreign language
  • dictionary
  • any book that inspires you

book pages as collage material

I hope you have the time to join us in this online class. You could start re-purposing a book today and create some found word poems. This can be very meditative is you approach it with a playful sense of discovery.

found poems

Enjoy!

READ the details about the online class – Books as ART Materials

 

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