Easy Lightbox for transferring images

screen printing / /
Attached artwork to a Window as light box for image transfer - Linda Germain
Window as light box for image transfer – Linda Germain

The sun and a window make a great light box for transferring drawings to new contact paper.

Here I –

  • taped my original sketch to the window
  • tape contact paper on top of the original and
  • Trace the original on to the contact paper
  • Then cut out the stencil
  • apply to screen and
  • print

This print is a compilation of many experimental screen printing stencils. The brown jug is a contact paper stencil.  If you would like to explore experimental screen printing then join us in the next session of Pulling Screen Prints – the online printmaking class. Register today and save!  Read the details here.

Many experimental screen prints linda germain
Experimental screen printing

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Drawing habit to support printmaking

drawings / /

Draw to improve printmaking skills and options Linda GermainI love found marks and tools.

Drawing for me is work, not really pure joy. But the longer I am an artist the more I realize that drawing opens up options.

I think one thought that holds me back is the idea that I have to draw the “teacher’s” way, or realistically, or something other than what I do.

Funny, why don’t I give myself more space to play, experiment and learn to draw freely with more confidence and less judgment.

Lately, I have been doing some quick line drawings of teapots. Strong expressive line drawings are perfect for photo emulsion screen printing.

 

Different types of drawing are best for different screen printing methods:

  • Great shapes with good negative space would be good for paper stencils
  • Strong bold line drawings would be good for the screen filler and drawing fluid method
  • Dark and delicate details would be good for photo emulsion screen printing method.

Check out upcoming online printmaking workshops.

 

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Screen printing on rusted fabric

rust prints, screen printing / /

Screen printed cotton fabric that has been rusted with vinegar, water and metal bits by linda germainI collect bits of rust on my daily walks.

Lay them on fabric that is dampened with vinegar and water and let the magic happen. This takes a little planning and patience.

Today, I ironed the fabric and played with screen printing over the whole piece of cloth.

This is a thermofax screen that I made with a photocopy of actual grass. I also played with attaching the thermofax screen to a bigger screen to stabilize it for printing.

It worked!

I used Createx Acrylic Color for Screen printing. It comes in a squeezable plastic bottle. I love it because I can just squirt out small amounts.

I am so messy when I get screen printing. This eliminates the need for a palette knife, spoon or cardboard scoop.

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Thermofax Screen Printing on Tea Bags

monotype print / /

Thermofax screen printing on tea bags and fabric with Linda GermainThe weather has been chilly here in New England, and I have a big pile of tea bags.

I love the fragile decay.

I have used tea bags for printmaking, collage and some sewing projects. But the pile is so big, I needed a process that would consume a bunch of bags.

Thermofax screen printing is the answer.

This is what I did:

  • Suspend judgment & play
  • Gather lots of tea bags and fabric for printing
  • Set up my workspace
  • Padded surface covered with plastic
  • Credit card for my squeegee
  • Damp rag for messy fingers
  • Big table for laying out my prints
  • and then pull prints
  • I used brown, gold and a bit of white

Thermofax screen printing is a great way to add line elements, text and delicate details.

What types of images would you like to make into a thermofax screen for your artwork? Tell me in the comments section above.

Happy printing!

 

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Wire pressed into foam for relief printing tools

foam plate printmaking / /
Press chicken wire into foam to make a relief stamp for Printing by Linda Germain
Press wire into foam to make a relief stamp for Printmaking

I cut a piece of chicken wire to see what kind of marks or printmaking tools I could make.

  1. First I tried to attach it to a board to get it to lay flat – not happy.
  2. I tried laying fabric on top and doing a brayer rubbing – not so good
  3. I press the wire into foam – hmm? like it.
  4. Used the the foam relief tool to do a brayer rubbing. Success.

Wire is sharp and can be hard on the rest of my supplies. I was most pleased with the relief stamp.

Yeah! So now I can get rid of the roll of chicken wire that I have been holding on to and hoping to do something with.

Did you accept yesterday’s challenge? Did you make art with something that had been collecting dust in your studio?

You still have time. Grab one of those interesting “things” that speak to you and play!

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