Printmaking method – use at home without a press

stencils / Linda Germain / February 24, 2016

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.

Want to make stencils like Matisse? GET the FREE Tutorial!

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Who is your favorite ART supplier?

tools / Linda Germain / February 21, 2016

I was thinking about my students and their need to buy specialized art supplies. Some of my international students have to get creative when it comes to finding glycerin and water based inks from their local suppliers.

Though I don’t order lots of supplies, I do think it is important to support art vendors who have good prices and great customer service.

ART Suppliers I have used:

All Art Supplies Wholesale: They do online sales and they are local to me, here in Massachusetts. I They often have what I need at a pretty competitive price. Sometimes I have to watch out for things that are more low volume sales – Like Golden screen printing medium. They have been great when I needed to buy supplies for local schools. I can also call and they will check the stock to be sure that the item is there before I drive down.
Dick Blick: Usually has the water based inks that I like to use with the gelatin plate. They have the speedball and the Dick Blick brand. They don’t do some international shipping which does not help my international people. I am not sure about their customer service.
I have a painter friend who loves the customer service of Cheap Joes Art Stuff.
For miscellaneous stuff I love Extras for Creative Reuse – a recycling center for all kinds of materials. I get lots of paper and foam core there. So if you are not in Eastern Massachusetts, then I suggest looking for a similar type of membership based, recycling store that serves the creative community.
Staples – office supply store is a good source for cover stock and inexpensive paper for making monotypes.
Sometimes I use the weekly coupons to pick up cutting blades, mat board, paint brushes or other last minute art supplies, from places like, ACMoore, Michaels,or Hobby Lobby. or JoAnn’s Fabric.

I am curious what is your go to Art Supply Store.

What stores do you avoid?
What store the best price, selection and customer service?

Share links and stories in the comments. Let’s support each other in finding the best art supplier for our needs.

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3 steps to Create Artwork worthy of Framing

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 19, 2016

I encourage you to try these 3 steps to creating monotypes or mixed media art that is worthy of framing, selling or gifting.

First – Make a lot of prints.

I often say if I pull 20 prints and 2 are awesome then that is a win. You may be aware of the old art school story about the ceramics professor who gave one group of students the assignment to make one perfect pot and to another group the assignment was to make as many pots as possible. Which group made the best pots? The second group.

Why is more better?

Each time you make print you have an opportunity to learn something about tools, composition and your story. The more opportunities you have to learn, then the more you learn. You build visual, mental and physical skills every time you pull a print.

Second – Give yourself and the piece some space.

Wait a day or two before you judge your work and determine whether it is done or needs something more. Then pin the potentials on the wall and ask:

What do I notice?
What is working?
Where does my eye go?
Is the viewer drawn in?
Can one or two marks make it pop/complete?

And realize not every print is worthy of completion. Sometimes you learn something from your ugly prints and just begin again.

Third – Play with framing Materials

Take a small precut mat and use it like view finder over sections of your prints
See if you can find a pleasing composition
When you find it, then crop and frame the piece
Try placing some prints in ready made frames and mats
Try very small and very large like in a museum
Have fun with this. You will be growing your compositional skills and you won’t even know it.

Check out the current workshops.

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One secret to layering colors in gelatin printmaking

gelatin print tips / Linda Germain / February 17, 2016

Gelatin printmaking is fun, fast and addictive.

But after the initial surprise and excitement many artists want to exercise some control over the process. Or they see clean, crisp layers made by other printmakers and artist and wonder how it was achieved.

Now fair warning, monotype printmaking is often experimental and exact marks often can not be exactly duplicated, but the technique can be learned.

The secret:

Save some white.

You can do that in a few different ways.

Use a mask in the same position for each layer of ink prints
Apply ink to only a portion of the plate of each layer
Allow masking areas to overlap

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking in depth and get the help that you need to gain some control over this experimental process, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes – class starts Feb 22nd.

Read the details here on the printmaking workshop page.

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One way to get rid of the Creative Block

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 13, 2016

To get rid of that creative block…………..

Take a printmaking class

What causes creative blocks?

No ideas
Too many ideas
Fear

You can move through a creative block with the help of others and steady steps forward. That is what we do in Make Monotypes, the online printmaking course.

Whether you are beginner or seasoned and blocked or not, this printmaking class will help you move towards your next level of expression.

Make Monotypes was easy to follow, informative and enjoyable. I now have a better understanding of layering and compositions when printing with the glycerin and gelatin plate.
Ellen Bennett – Australia – Make Monotypes

Make Monotypes is the online printing class where we explore printmaking without a press, using the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate, ink and paper.

The class will help you to focus on one technique at a time.
Get answers to your questions to move you through the tough times.
And get praise and acknowledgement when you make prints that are pleasing and inspiring

Read all the details and join us today, class starts February 22nd. Get rid of that creative block once and for all!

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