monotype print

Go to the place that inspires you to create – often

be inspired by nature

Even if the places that inspire you do not directly correlate with the art that you are making. The visit to your special place will feed your energy.

These places of inspirations can be:

  • the woods
  • the beach
  • the library
  • an art show
  • a museum

Just get there! Is is important for your practice to fill the well with images and energy.

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Time to make holiday cards – gelatin printing

landscape linda germain

Though I just enjoyed a walk on the beach, today is my day to make my holiday cards.

tyvek stencils for gelatin printmaking

I have a few stencils to choose from but I think I will start with this one.

holiday card made with tyvek stencil and gelatin printmaking

I am going to add a bit of background color and enjoy the process!

hand printed cards with the gelatin plate and tyvek stencils

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking with me, then check out the details on the printmaking workshop page.

The next session starts soon.

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Gelatin printmaking is versatile

Gelatin printmaking is a low tech and satisfying way of printing for folks who like to work fast and spontaneously.

Images can be quite abstract.

gelatin print collage - abstract landscape by linda germain

To almost photographic:

different paints and inks for gel printmaking by linda germain
What inks or paints do you use for gelatin printing?

If you want to expand and explore the process of gelatin printmaking with ink on paper, then join us in Make Monotypes.

Class starts soon. Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page.

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3 Tiny tweaks make a big impact

Sometimes a tiny mark can transform a bland print into a wow print.

transform monotype with pastels

This was a boring abstract landscape and I:

  • cropped it
  • added some textural marks
  • put in some dark black marks

And know I quite love it.

Here is another example:

Before –

abstract monotype landscape

After:

abstract landscape with pastels

I made:

  • the darks darker
  • and added tiny texture to balance the strong lines
  • and cropped to a more dynamic compostion

Another before:

abstract mountain scene

And after adding a few marks:

mixed media monotype by linda germain

I used:

  • pastels
  • charcoal
  • white paint
  • india ink

to finish these abstract landscapes into monotype prints that are pleasing to me.

I encourage you to look at your pile of prints and see if you could  crop and add a few marks to create a few wow prints that you love.

Check out the current workshops for more inspiration.

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