monotype print

Make the most of your drawings

monotype print, screen printing / /

If you have been following me for a while, then you may know that I do not love to draw. And drawing is the basis for a lot of printmaking techniques.

drawing fluid method screen print by linda germain

So I am really excited when I can make a drawing live on in a new way by using it as a matrix for a printmaking process.

screen filler screens for printmaking

I am getting ready for the online printmaking class, Pulling Screen Prints. So I pulled out my box of tools and screens.

I have a few images/screens that I made more than 7 years ago.

mixed media print by linda germain

Drawing fluid type screens are really not meant to be saved and used for long periods of time. But I made these on homemade screens, with canvas stretchers and Tulle for screen mesh.

make your own screen for printing

Over the years I have collected screens of different qualities and sizes. Small screens are nice for random all over printing and are easy to store. Bigger screens are good for more exact printing and large runs of the same image.

Today I wanted to see if this giraffe image would still print. So I covered the areas of the screen that I did not need and pulled a couple of quick test prints.

giraffe image ready to print

I am pleased to say that the image is still printing nicely. So I am thinking that I might create some abstract background layers on a bunch of papers and then print the giraffe on top.

screen print of giraffe by linda germain

Emulsion type screens, like the EZscreen or thermofax screens are really great for converting drawings and photos into a long lasting screen for mixed media printmaking.

EZscreens made from drawings and photos

They are small and can be easily stored flat in folders.

screen printed hand towels

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Working small can lead to big things

monotype print, trace monoprint / /

It can be overwhelming to getting started with a new series or art project. One way to ease into a new project it to work small and do a little something each day.

trace monoprint of a chair

I like working 5″ x 7″. It is small enough to complete quickly and a standard size that can easily be framed up to 8″ x 10″

An in a very short time I can have a collection of drawings, prints or collages for my studio wall.

chair drawings by linda germain

Consider doing a few small works  in one day to get yourself psyched up to continue the “daily doing.”

tacks and clips to display art in progress

Three tips on making small art everyday:

  1. Use supplies that are easy and accessible to you quickly. Minimize prep time and clean up time. That is why daily drawing is so popular, all you need is pen and paper. But if you are printmaker or collage artist or fiber artist find ways to leaves supplies out and ready, so you can quickly make your small daily piece.
  2. Hang up your work. Admire it. Enjoy the growing collection. Try not to judge every little piece. If you give yourself time and space you will see your unique voice evolving and getting clearer.
  3. Keep it fun. Remember this is a practice to support you. If it turns into another chore to get done, then consider changing the subject or medium and get back to a bit of joyful creation.

If you would like to jumpstart a daily habit with some drawings and trace monoprinting, then

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

This is a great class to get playing with loose, expressive drawing and then easily transform those drawings into one of a kind, trace monoprints.

The “big things” that could happen from your “daily doings.”

  • You may have body of work for a solo show
  • You may have a stack of work to frame and sell or gift
  • You may have new and stronger skills
  • You may have become more aware of your unique expression

I think it is worth the try!

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Do some Picasso inspired “one-liners”

monotype print / /

I love line drawings that are simple and still express authenticity. And that can be a challenge to let the line flow and not be labored.

trace monoprint by linda germain
Line drawing trace monoprint

To get some inspiration for the beauty of simple line drawings check out the one liners by Picasso.

I also love the Plant drawings by Elsworth Kelly.

ellsworth kelly plant drawings

If you are inspired by the simplicity of the one line drawing, then give your self a challenge.

You could:

  1. Pick a line drawings by Picasso or another master and do studies
  2. As a learning to see tool – you could copy it and trace it
  3. Then draw it while staring at it
  4. Notice if you are loose or tense
  5. Remember to breathe

After doing a bunch of studies you could pick one flower or animal and do your own drawing in just one line.

It may take several steps to simplify the image to one line and still express the essence. As Picasso did with he bull studies.

picasso's bull study

Here is a quote that is attributed to Picasso that support the beauty of the one liner:

“Art is the elimination of the unnecessary .”

line drawing of ear buds

My drawing is more than one line, but I do feel the essence of those tangled wires.

I like to use this simplified line drawing approach when I am preparing images to make trace monoprints.

stack of cups trace monoprint by linda germain

The line drawing becomes the matrix for the fuzzy lined trace monoprint. And that fuzzy line quality gives the image a whole new feel.

figure drawing by linda germain

I made a copy of this figure drawing  and then used that to make the trace monoprint below.

trace monoprint figure drawing

If you are intrigued by simplified drawings and want to explore the trace monoprint process, then check out the details on the Draw into Print Workshop page and join us, class starts soon.

 

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5 places to get Tyvek® for making stencils

monotype print / /

Tyvek® is great for making stencils. So what is it and where can I get some?

tyvek stencils used for making cards with the gelatin plate

It  is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of the DuPont company, known for their production of chemicals and textiles. Tyvek® is often used as housewrap, a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction.

I comes in different weights and structures for different uses. Check out the DuPont site for all that info.

You can find Tyvek®:

  1. Construction site dumpster – house wrap. Or if you need a lot check out a hardware store for Tyvek® house wrap.
  2. Staples + Office supplies stores sell Tyvek® envelopes. This is an affordable option if you can buy them in small quantities.
  3. Staples sells – JAM tyvek paper
  4. USPS – Uses Tyvek® envelops for their priority mail service – You could recycle those envelopes.
  5. Material Concepts – is an online seller of Tyvek® and sometimes you can get odd lot rolls – their Excess Inventory for a reasonable price.
  6. Get creative, tell your friends that you need Tyvek® for your art. Look for things that are made with tyvek that you could repurpose.

Be inspired by Beatrice Coron – a paper cutting artist, who uses a lot of Tyvek®.

If you want to learn more about making stencils from Tyvek® and other materials, then join us in the online class, Hand Printed Cards. Class is starting soon.

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What is possible – monoprinting fabric

monotype print / /

Today I am playing and discovering the different kinds of marks that are possible with the gelatin plate, stencils, mark making tools and inks.

monoprinting fabric

A lot happens very quickly when I roll out the ink and lay down stencils. The challenge is to transfer marks before the ink is too dry.

monoprinted fabric linda germain

There is ink on the brayer and on the plate that can be used to make marks on the fabric. The skill develops the more I understand where to place what kinds of marks to make pleasing prints.

fern printed fabric

For example in the print above:

  • the white ferns are made with a masking stencil over a layer of ink.
  • the blue and yellow ferns are made with the ink left behind/under the masking stencil
  • the background marks were made with brayer rubbings
gelatin plate print on fabric

So when playing with printing on fabric, skill develops as awareness grows about the actions that make certain types of impressions. This can be challenging for folks who like to be in control or make predictable and repeatable mark.

The marks above are similar but not the same. The happy surprises are what I love about gelatin printmaking. I also love:

  • easy clean up
  • low tech tools
  • non- toxic inks
  • able to print at home
  • fun to share with friends!
  • lovely details with just hand pressure
  • no press needed
  • fast and spontaneous

If you are interested in some guided discover and playful printmaking with the gelatin plate and fabric then check out the details of the online printmaking workshop, Monoprinting on Fabric. Class starts soon.

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