masking stencils Archives

Feeling the chaos? Maybe simplify

inspiration, masking stencils, monotype print / Linda Germain / February 12, 2024

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with ideas and then I can’t choose one to play with. Usually, I go for a walk to get some clarity.

Then when I get back to the studio I have a 1-2-3 to do list. I like to have just three items on the list, that way I don’t get overwhelmed by a long list. When I finish the three activities, then I can make another list of 3.

I think this helps to create a sense of accomplishment.

This idea of simplifying can be applied to gelatin printmaking too. I will often:

Limit my color palette to cyan and black – classic printmaking colors
Use just 3 to 5 stencils of different volume or line quality
Print on my standard size paper, so that the prints can be easily turned into books

If you would like to explore simplifying your gelatin prints, then check out the details of the upcoming workshop and join us today. The online class starts March 1st.

Feeling the chaos? Maybe simplify Read More »

Shadow and shapes for drawing

inspiration, masking stencils, tools / Linda Germain / August 27, 2021

You know that part of my practice is to go to the woods for inspiration. I love to capture cast shadows and use them as a drawing reference.

Using the photo as reference seems to help me to see shapes instead of leaves and branches.

I do the outline drawing one day and come back and fill the shadow shape in with black paint on another day.

I hope this inspired you to look for shadow shapes to draw. Sometimes I have to take a lot of shadow pictures before I get one that is good for reference. Got to love our phones and digital cameras.

Sometimes I use shadow shapes to make stencils for gelatin printmaking.

Happy Printing!

Shadow and shapes for drawing Read More »

Masking stencil combined with soft foam plates

foam plate printmaking, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking / Linda Germain / August 23, 2021

I think a combination of different quality of marks often creates a more interesting print.

Foam plate relief printing often creates solid white line kind of mark. You can create variety in the line quality by drawing the plates with different kinds of tools.

In the print above I used a pen, pen cap and found weeds to make the foam plates on the left. But to create the bolder marks on the right I combined a solid plate with “masking stencils.” I used plant material for the lower right image and cut paper stencils to create the shapes on the upper right side.

Masking stencils like those shown above are not usually used in relief printing. But if they are super flat they can be combined with a plain unmarked foam plate with pleasing results.

I thought of this combination of materials, because as a gelatin printmaker I have stacks and stacks of masking stencils.

So as you work on creating your mixed media prints be open to combining processes and materials in new and unconventional ways.

Masking stencil combined with soft foam plates Read More »

Build your design skills – gelatin printmaking

Gelatin plate print, masking stencils, techniques, tools / Linda Germain / April 14, 2021

Gelatin printmaking is fast and gives you immediate feedback about composition and design skills. That is one reason that I love the process.

Art school teaches us to make thumbnail drawings and plan our composition first. I just don’t have the patience for that approach.

I like the trial and error approach of making lots of prints. And over time my design skills have grown and I had fun in the process. And I want to share that approach and what I have learned with you in the online printmaking workshops.

We will create growth and success by:

Getting to know your masking stencils and how to get strong impressions
Limiting the colors so we can create prints with a strong range of value
Using a small standard size paper to get a dynamic division of space

These boundaries will give you the structure to support new understanding of the tools and how the impressions are created. This should create success and happiness!

I hope you will check out the online printmaking classes.

Build your design skills – gelatin printmaking Read More »

Tyvek® stencil technique can be used to make framed art

masking stencils / Linda Germain / October 27, 2020

I know the upcoming online printmaking class is all about hand printing cards with Tyvek® stencils and the gelatin plate, but you can use the technique to make prints to frame.