techniques 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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Exploring cyanotypes

monotype print, techniques / Linda Germain / May 23, 2024

I my Simplify – Gelatin Prints class, I teach a mock cyanotype technique.

I love the mixture of black and cyan ink. I think it produces some nice rich impressions. Delicate weeds and intricate cut glass are good tools for this process.

But today I made a few real cyanotype prints. I have been collecting inspiration online and have a list of approaches that I want to try. It does take some planning and preparation.

I mixed the chemicals 24 hours earlier.
Then I painted the mixture on to the papers
Wait for them to dry in a darkroom

Luckily, I had a bright sunny day. I started with few grasses and a test strip. I exposed a little more paper every minute, for a total of 5 minutes. The pale blue was exposed for 1 minute direct bright sun. And the dark blue at the bottom was exposed for 5 minutes

I had prepared a digital negative of a photograph. My printer is low on toner and the black areas were a bit transparent, so I underexposed the print so I would not lose all the detail. I am pretty pleased with the result.

The light is always changing and different tools block the light differently too. I really wanted to do a glass cast shadow. I first attempt fail, not enough shadow. As time passed the shadows got longer. Second try much better.

I even tried printing on a rock.

I will continue to play with the cyanotype process. If you would like to explore my mock cyanotype process, then check out the details of the class Simplify – Gelatin Printmaking.

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Make a brown bag book

artist book, book arts, handmade books, inspiration, mark making, techniques / Linda Germain / February 5, 2024

Today, I had the urge to make a brown bag book. I share with you my process so you can make some too.

First I took the bag apart, so it was one flat sheet.
Then I ironed out the wrinkles
Painted white gesso over the store advertising
Added some bold black india ink marks
Cut into long 10″ strips (final size 6″ x 9″)

The cut the long 10″ strip into 6″ x 9″ sheets
Fold each in half and stack inside each other to make a single signature
Clip together and punch 3 holes in the spine
Follow video instructions to sew together

A couple of extra tips:

It is ok if the pages are not perfectly the same
Make sure your holes are big enough for easier sewing
You can choose how you stack your sheets so you create a blank page spread and then a painted spread. Play with how you stack the sheets together to create a book that suits your style.
Press with heavy weight to get it to lay flat

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did. Check out the self study classes available now.

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a couple of glue tips

mixed media printmaking, techniques, tools / Linda Germain / April 5, 2022

I have been using glue in my sketchbook and with some gelatin prints and I wanted to share a couple of glue handling tips.

Keep the nozzle clear

I found that if I stick something like a matchstick or 1/2 of a cotton swab into the top of the glue bottle it keeps the nozzle clear. I do have to replace the cotton swab every so often. Generally a bit of glue builds up at the top to “seal” the opening.

Squeeze out small amount of glue

I have a bunch of small ceramic dishes that have become glue plates. I generally need just a little bit of glue. So I try to put just a little bit on to the glue dish. When the glue dries I can easily peel it off the ceramic dish.

Have dedicated glue brush

I use 2 small brushes just for glue. I leave these inexpensive brushes sitting in a small container of water. That way I don’t have to clean them or worry about them hardening.

Use foam roller

If I am gluing large areas, like to cover a book, I use a foam roller and limited passes. I use the pop out foam roller that speedball sells as a kit. Just be sure to wash the roller thoroughly. And try to coat your project in one or two passes. The paper gets weak and sticky the more you roll over it.

I used the foam roller to glue these 5″ x 7″ gelatin prints together. Have you explored gelatin printmaking? Make your own long lasting gel plate – get the recipe here.

I hope you find these gluing ideas helpful.

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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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