monotype print

Add Mountains to your sketchbook

monotype print, sketchbook ideas / /

This month’s featured class is Monochromatic Mountains. Details on the workshop page. Save $25.

abstract Mountain scape

I have been thinking about how I could use the mountain scape techniques in other ways, beyond the layered print.

The ridge line method is a great compliment to the mixed media trees that we explored last month.

abstract landscape linda germain

I have experimented with added mountains to the background of some sketchbook pages in progress.

add ridge lines to sketchbook pages

I think it might be a quick way to add depth to a page. Above the cat is now looking off into the distance. And the tree is brought to the foreground. The tree needs to be less transparent. I did add the background mountains after the other images wherein the page. With some planning I could print the backgrounds first.

Want to add some mountain scapes to your work? Take advantage of the savings this month and join us in the online printmaking class, Monochromatic Mountains.

 

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The Woods Inspires Mark Making

monotype print / /

Trees are one of my go to subjects. They are easy to abstract and fun to create.

trees as subject matter for art making

I get my inspiration from my walks in the woods, but I also see amazing old trees every where.

I can be fun to try to capture the likeness of that favorite tree.

Tree sketch linda germain

Sometimes I get close and notice the texture of the bark and things growing there, moss, ivy, bittersweet, and the like.

texture of trees

The look and feel of the tree changes with the seasons. Winter offers bare branches and monochromatic color. In the spring I notice fresh green and red buds fill the branches. Summer is a lush canopy of greens. And the Fall can be a riot of brilliant colors.

autumn colors

I have wanted to capture “that” tree in all of its seasons, but just have not done it yet.

This admiration of trees lead me to create the Torn Tree Workshop. It is about making abstract forests with simple printmaking and drawing techniques. This month of March I am offering this 12 lesson class for only $50. USD. Check out the details.


I like to combine my woods walks and my art inspiration.

 

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Start the new year with gelatin printmaking

monotype print / /

I invite you to join me in the online class, the Gelatin Print Project.

gelatin print by linda germain

I feel that one way to build printmaking skills is to pull a lot of prints. And the immediacy of gelatin printmaking lends itself to making lots of prints very quickly. In this class we will build layers on light and delicate base prints.

You will learn how to get the most from your impressions, layering and combining:

  • shaped impressions
  • detailed impressions
  • spot pick ups
  • light ghost impressions

Read all the details on the workshop page. Class starts January 10th, 2025.

100 print project

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Join Me – New Class – stamp making

artist book, collage, combined techniques, monotype print, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I am excited about the new class that starts October 25th. This class is about:

  • Making small stamps out of sticky backed foam
  • Slipknot book form
  • a gelatin print lesson and
  • a bit of collage

I love this combination of techniques. There is something for everyone. So you can choose a focus that fits your interest at this time.

slipknot book with gelatin print and collage

The slipknot binding is great for sketchbooking, because it can be flipped and folded to always lie flat. It takes a bit of thread management to link the pages together, but it is a pretty easy book form.

Gelatin monotype with stamping

I am including a gelatin print session so you will have prints to respond to with collage and stamping.

The collage lesson is just to get beyond the blank page.

slipknot bound books

Read all the details and join us in Stamp Making + Mixed Media Book Workshop.

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Make unique fabric for your projects

fabric prints, gelatin prints on fabric, monotype print / /

I have piles of hand printed fabric. I have actually stopped making more until I use up some of what I already have.

piles of gelatin printed fabric ready for projects

I have made a few quilts and now have more quilts than I can use.

piecing together a quilt

I covered some bricks with hand printed cloth to use as book weights. I do use these quite a bit and I think 6 big book weights is  enough for my little studio.

book weights covered with fabric

I used heat-n-bond to transform some of the monoprinted fabric into book cloth. The heat-n-bond is applied to the fabric then thin rice paper is stuck to the other side. This creates a barrier so the glue does not seep through the fabric. Then I covered a few artists books.

notebook covered with gelatin printed fabric

I love composition notebooks. I covered a few with the hand printed fabric.

I love bags. I am definitely a bag lady. And yet surprisingly I have only stitched up one little shoulder bag.  I think a big beach bag may be my next project.

crossbody bag made with hand printed fabric

If  you are wanting to make some unique hand printed fabric, then check out the workshop, Monoprinted Fabric.

I am offering a 25% discount on this class for the next few weeks. It is a comprehensive class with 12 different techniques for gelatin printing on fabric.

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