stencils Archives - Linda Germain

Just Make Marks

inspiration, mark making, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking, sketchbook ideas, stencils, techniques / Linda Germain / September 17, 2024

I am learning that it is enough to just make marks. Joyful marks are even better.

Sometimes I can get caught up in needing to know why. Then I usually get stalled by the thinking in my head.

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.

My new favorite mark is spraying pigment through found “stencils.” I diluted watercolor and put the mixture into a small spray bottle.

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.

All my classes are about mark making of some sort. See if there is one class that interests you.

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Capture some shadow shapes

drawings, inspiration, stencils / Linda Germain / May 10, 2022

I take a daily walk in the woods along the lake and often see things that I want to use in my art making practice. It can be anything from weeds, leaves and sticks or inspiration for landscapes.

Those tangible things can be directly used in the gelatin printmaking process. I thinned down a tiny sprig of pine needles to make the prints below.

I have been collecting more fleeting inspiration in the form of cast shadows. The sun needs to be strong and calm winds help.

The bright sun simplifies the plants into shapes, and then I can more easily draw the leafy image. I does help to try to take the photo in the same angle and orientation that you want to draw it. Flipping in a photo program seemed off balance or wonky.

It can be very satisfying to do a few of these cast shadow drawing and fill them in with black ink or paint.

Blurry pictures create room for interpretation. I notice that leaves are all different shapes and when a few group together they make even weirder shapes.

The great thing about capturing shadows is that they don’t take up any studio space. And I always leave a few images on my phone, so I always have something as a drawing reference.

I encourage you to start to notice cast shadows and bring them back to your studio.

One bright sunny day, in the studio, I tried casting some shadows and capturing them at the same time. I could have used another hand, but I love the shapes created. I may not have seen them by looking at the real branch.

Enjoy!

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Value matters – Printmaking

Gelatin plate print, mark making, monotype print, stencils, techniques / Linda Germain / October 5, 2021

Sometimes, I look at a print that I am working on and feel that something is missing. I need something to make it pop or something to pull it all together.

Often I can do that by adding a very dark mark or a very light mark.

Value, the range of light to dark is often over looked. Color is easier to see so it often gets more attention.

Some painters do grey scale “drafts” before they paint with color.

One way to check for range of value is to take a black and white photo of your print. Do you see some very light areas as well as some very dark marks?

Another way I check for range of value is to squint at the print. If it blurs into one soft medium mass, then I need to look for ways to add dark darks or light lights.

If you want to build your skills for creating prints with a strong range of value, then join us in the upcoming online class, check out the current printmaking classes.

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Brown paper bag – stencils

gelatin prints on fabric, stencils / Linda Germain / May 27, 2021

I just discovered that bold stencils cut from brown paper bags are durable enough to use with the gelatin plate.

It is quite relaxing to grab a pair of scissors and a paper bag and cut out shapes. Before you know it you will have a pile of new stencils.

I managed to pick a couple and make some prints on fabric.

I was surprised how durable the stencils were. I think that they will last for at least a couple of printing sessions.

If you would like to explore gelatin printing on fabric, then join us in the online class, Monoprinted Fabric. Class starts soon. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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The woods as my inspiration

handmade books, mixed media printmaking, stencils / Linda Germain / April 12, 2021

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.

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.

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

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.

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.