Thermofax screen printing kit available soon

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Are you curious about screen printing?

Do you want to add thermofax screen printing to your art making skill set? If so, then you may be interested in this starter set of printing screens that I am working on.

WATCH this video and see how I quickly print and layer one piece of fabric with several images.

Join the special interest list for thermofax screen printing and I will keep you up to date about courses, kits and videos that I develop about this fast and fun printing process.

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Does your printing process change with the seasons?

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I have noticed that I do more printing with grasses in the fall, use Daniel Smith inks in the summer, need to clean my studio in the spring and use photo imagery in winter.

seasonal inspiration for printmaking with linda germain
Seasonal challenges of printmaking without a press

Summer:

  • Heat can dry up printing inks and the gelatin plate
  • Time – Do I go to the beach or play with the kids or print?
  • Fresh air means a great time to work outside and use those “toxic” inks

Fall:

  • Back to School – time to take a class and learn from others
  • Grasses are delicate but strong at this time of year – good for “stencils”
  • Orange, black and brown show up in my prints

Winter:

  • Cold temperatures can harden the gelatin plate and stiffen ink
  • Snow storms and short days mean it is a great time to connect with others in an online class
  • Minimal landscape inspires me to work with black and blue ink only

Spring:

  • Hope of all things fresh and new
  • Too early for tender grasses
  • But just the right time to purge the studio

Once I realized there was a flow to my printmaking, I could accept the limitations and embrace the opportunities that each season presents.  What about you? Share your seasonal wisdom in the comments below.

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Less is More when making prints

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Gelatin and glycerin plate print by linda germain
Gelatin plate monotype with found stencils

I  am entertaining the idea that less is more.

Less is more…

Where could I apply this idea?

  • Colors in a print
  • Textures in  a print
  • Objects in the composition
  • Stuff in my studio
  • Things on my to do list
  • Time to complete a project

What do you think could less be more for you in some areas of your artwork or life?

Make minimal monotypes

Share your thoughts below.

Would you like to explore gelatin printing with the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate in Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class. Check the workshop schedule and sign up.

This is what one student expressed about Make Monotypes, printmaking class:

“Now, I have the confidence to try different printing techniques and to even cut up the gelatin plate to get interesting shapes.” says Lynne P.

Make a Glycerin & Gelatin Printing Plate Now!
Get the FREE recipe to make a gel printing plate

Additionally, you will receive a weekly email about printmaking, ideas, tips and courses.

Join us today and start having fun!

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Video of student prints – Make Monotypes – printmaking course

2010 / /

Monotype Prints by students in Make Monotypes with Linda Germain from Linda Germain on Vimeo.

Be inspired to join this final session of the online printmaking course, Make Monotypes.  Class starts September 8th.  Sign up today and soon you will be making beautiful prints of your own.

Making prints on the homemade gelatin plate is quick, non-toxic and unpredictable. I this printmaking class I hope you:

  • Gain confidence and get a creative boost
  • Practice the skills and make them your own
  • Create beautiful prints to frame and share

 

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What kind of inks do you like for gelatin printing?

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different paints and inks for gel printmaking by linda germain
What inks or paints do you use for gelatin printing?

I have played with several different inks and paints for gelatin printmaking.  Each one has it’s own strengths and weaknesses. I use speedball water soluble block printing ink. I like that ink for the class because it allows for the transfer of ink from brayer to plate to stencil to paper and back and forth again.

In the gelatin prints above I used:

  • top row = speedball water soluble block printing inks
  • bottom left = acrylic paint and alcohol scrape
  • bottom right = Daniel Smith water soluble block printing inks

If you would like to gain more control over your gelatin printing techniques, then join us today, in an online printmaking class.

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