I spent 3 hours at the bookstore seeking visual inspiration. I did not really think that I would buy any books, because I am a library girl. But I did find this Kiragami book, Everybody Kirigami! by Mitsuhiko Imamori.

So I cut some stencils from copy paper, while I was watching re-runs of the Doctor Blake Mysteries. I like to cut stencils from thin and easy to cut paper and then make them stronger with multiple coats of matt medium after the stencil is cut.

I know some folks don’t have the patience for this process. But it works for me. I lightly coat one side at a time and move it while it is drying so that it does not stick to the plastic page protector. The weak spots need extra coats.

I did have to print with them all before I even coated them. I get so excited and the I need to see what the stencil will do when I use it. So I tested each one on some fabric prints in process.

This frog just makes me smile. I am not  really sure how I will use this image. Maybe as a a card image.

I picked these up off the floor and could not throw them away. These “hole” stencils can be used as well to make bold shapes, with or with out the gelatin plate. I made these as a by product of the masking stencils and without specific intention.

Where do you look for inspiration for stencils? What materials do you like to use to cut your stencils from? If you would like to make a gelatin and glycerin plate to use with your stencils, get the FREE recipe below.

Stencils are the foundation of all the printmaking that I do. Check out the video.

1. Traditional stencil – push the ink through a hole in the stencil
2. Masking stencil – where the stencil blocks the transfer of ink and
3. Combined with the Gelatin plate I use the stencil to transfer the ink to the plate

I am so excited to be offering the new Make Stencils Workshop. It is an online printmaking class in which we will be transformed from a store bought stencil user to a stencil artist, developing your own images and creating one of a kind artwork.

Class starts soon. Check out the details and join us today.

One way to build your shadow seeing skills:

Grab your camera and go on a shadow hunt It helps if it is a sunny day and not high noon. At noontime the shadows are very short. Look up, look down. Look in places that you don’t usually look.

Load them on to your computer and simplify them by switching them into high contrast white and white. Maybe even print one out and cut a stencil.

Second way to build your shape seeing skills:

Hang a white sheet in a doorway of a dimly lit room. Shine a bright light on the sheet. Now put things in between the light and the sheet and close to the sheet. This quiets the subject matter. You are no longer distracted by the details and what you think you know.

It would be fun to do this with a kid who likes to strike a pose. I am always more likely to use stencils and images when I have a personal relationship to the subject.

I hope that you try out one of these methods to start to see shapes and shadows more easily.

If you would like to explore printmaking – check out the current online printmaking classes.

• You may be surprised by this printmaking method.
• It may be so obvious and simple that you will do a forehead slap.
• It may give you a new found freedom.

What is this printmaking method?

I am suggesting – stencil printing….

Yes if you pause and look around you may notice stencil printmaking in these projects:

• Printmakers pull screen prints
• Graffiti and street artist tag box cars
• Fiber and quilt artist create fabric and projects
• Pre-schoolers make pressed marks
• Interior designers cover walls, and furniture
• Cities paint creative crosswalks
• Mixed media artist layer paper like crazy

Stencils are used to block the transfer of ink and to create shape.

These super simple stencils were inspired by the cut-outs of Matisse. Both parts could be use to block or transfer ink. I call the one on the left the traditional hole stencil. Ink is gently transferred through the hole.

The stencil on the right, I call a masking stencil, because generally it is used to block or mask the transfer of ink. However, when printing with the gelatin plate I sometimes use this style of stencil to transfer ink as well. See this video

• Would you like to dedicate some time to developing your stencil making skills?
• Learn to see shapes and shadows in a whole new way?
• Develop stronger design skills?

I am working on a new class the Make Stencils Workshop. If you would like to be one of the first to know the details about this awesome class, then join the interest list below and I will keep you posted.

I love capturing the texture of leaves, twigs and grasses.

Sometimes the first leaves of spring are too weak to make good printing tools. They are too young to hold their shape.

If you put them in water and work really fast, then you might be able to get a few good impressions. There are no hard and fast rules. So it is always worth a try if you are inspired by something to use in your artwork.

Maybe they could be preserved with the water and glycerin bath as described in this post.

If you want to explore  monotype printing with a supportive group of people, then mark you calendar for  and sign up for the next online printmaking class.

Detail here on the printmaking workshops page.