Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Make beautiful ART without having to draw – Print

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 12, 2016

One of my students told me that she took Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class, because she wanted to make art and not have to draw.

Mini fishing print - Linda Germain — Monotype print made with a personal photo as reference for the fishing boy stencil

I agree!

I am attracted to monotype printmaking and organic styles of printmaking without a press, because, I can make beautiful, unique pieces of art and it is not dependent on my ability to draw.

Gel monotype print on map page with mylar stencils — Gelatin plate monotype print on map page with mylar stencils

I do not love to draw and gelatin plate monotype printmaking is a great way to make fantastic prints without needing to do a lot of drawing. Some of my best prints did not involve drawing.

Monotype print made with grass and the gelatin printing plate

I do draw.
I do like some of my drawings.
I do use drawing in my artwork.

But some of my most powerful monotype prints on the gelatin plate did not involve drawing.

Instead of drawing to make my marks I use:

my own photographs to make masking stencils
copyright free clip art as reference
super simple shapes and
found objects to work into the ink

If you want to make beautiful Monotype prints without having to draw. Check out the current printmaking classes being offered online.

Check out a short video of some prints made by students in the online printmaking course.

Make beautiful ART without having to draw – Print Read More »

Who else wants unique expressive stencils for printmaking?

monotype print / Linda Germain / February 11, 2016

It is so easy to buy art supplies online and in the craft stores. The industry has made it so accessible and easy for us to get printing and making mixed media marks. That is a good thing.

But don’t you want your artwork, your prints to be uniquely you, to tell your story and communicate your story to your viewers? YES!

One way to make prints that are all about you, your story and your visual journey is to use stencils that you make from your drawings, cuttings and photos.

To make your own stencils you need to start to see your world with a “stencil” filter. Begin to notice images, drawing and situations that would make great stencils.

Three Qualities of a Good Stencil image for Printmaking

The image has a strong interesting shape
There are a few key details that define the energy of the image
It carries some emotional charge for you

Check out my 8 Stencil Cutting tips here or join us in the next session of Make Monotypes and really explore stencil making and usage with the support of an international group of artists. Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page here.

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Who else wants unique expressive stencils for printmaking? Read More »

Winter simplifies the Landscape for printmakers

inspiration / Linda Germain / February 10, 2016

Winter makes the landscape black and white. The branches of the trees are visible. City shapes stand out against the simplicity of white snow.

I see inspiration for stencils when this happens in my neck of the woods. I know not everyone has white winters, so maybe you have another environmental condition that quiets the visual noise and feeds your printmaker’s heart.

Maybe it is a time of day or a foggy day.

Be open to seeing a simplified landscape

to inspire your next printmaking project.

I see shapes with just enough interest to become a stencil for working on the gelatin plate.

trees
twigs
birds on a wire
buildings on the horizon

If you would like to be inspired by other artists – join us in the next online workshop.

Winter simplifies the Landscape for printmakers Read More »

Eyes of a Printmaker

mark making tools / Linda Germain / February 9, 2016

One of the skills I hope to instill in my printmaking students it to see their world with a new lens.

I hope they start to see printmaking tools and mark making inspiration in their everyday doings.

This can be a blessing and a curse. All of a sudden trash, recyclables, and rusted things become treasures for the studio.

Printmaking Tools Above:

The frame corner piqued my interest as a possible item to use to make a wax rubbing resist screen for screen printing. It may or may not work.
The rubber dots on the coffee cup called to me as a tool to lift off and apply ink when working with the gelatin and glycerin plate for making monotypes.
The drawing of me by my nephew makes me smile and encourages me to be bold and expressive.
The other side of the heart shaped candy box is a clean edged stamping tool for using with the gelatin plate.
The dried hydrangea is an inspiration for drawings and doodles. Or maybe to be used in a paper making project.

As mark makers and artists we see the world a little differently and that is our gift, when we share it with others.