Do some Picasso inspired “one-liners”

monotype print / /

I love line drawings that are simple and still express authenticity. And that can be a challenge to let the line flow and not be labored.

trace monoprint by linda germain
Line drawing trace monoprint

To get some inspiration for the beauty of simple line drawings check out the one liners by Picasso.

I also love the Plant drawings by Elsworth Kelly.

ellsworth kelly plant drawings

If you are inspired by the simplicity of the one line drawing, then give your self a challenge.

You could:

  1. Pick a line drawings by Picasso or another master and do studies
  2. As a learning to see tool – you could copy it and trace it
  3. Then draw it while staring at it
  4. Notice if you are loose or tense
  5. Remember to breathe

After doing a bunch of studies you could pick one flower or animal and do your own drawing in just one line.

It may take several steps to simplify the image to one line and still express the essence. As Picasso did with he bull studies.

picasso's bull study

Here is a quote that is attributed to Picasso that support the beauty of the one liner:

“Art is the elimination of the unnecessary .”

line drawing of ear buds

My drawing is more than one line, but I do feel the essence of those tangled wires.

I like to use this simplified line drawing approach when I am preparing images to make trace monoprints.

stack of cups trace monoprint by linda germain

The line drawing becomes the matrix for the fuzzy lined trace monoprint. And that fuzzy line quality gives the image a whole new feel.

figure drawing by linda germain

I made a copy of this figure drawing  and then used that to make the trace monoprint below.

trace monoprint figure drawing

If you are intrigued by simplified drawings and want to explore the trace monoprint process, then check out the details on the Draw into Print Workshop page and join us, class starts soon.

 

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All about the brayer

tools / /

Recently, I have been going back to the basic tool in printmaking – the brayer.

brayer types for creative printmaking

Sometimes I want a nice thin and even layer of ink. And other times I let the nature of the roller and texture of the ink be a key part of the design.

drum leaf bound book of brayered prints

In the book cover above I used a modified roller to get the textured lines. And yet I love the smooth texture of the landscape print below.

abstract landscape with brayer marks

If you are new to using a brayer and you are seeking a smooth application of ink it can be frustrating. It really does take time and practice to get the brayer to do what you want it to do.

So give yourself a break. Factors that affect a brayers release of ink on the plate:

  • Viscosity of the ink
  • Pressure of you hand
  • Speed and motion of the roll
  • Air temperature and humidity
  • Size of the roller
  • Width of the roller
  • Type of roller
  • Type of ink and type of plate

brayered print by linda germain

Have you developed your own style of using your brayer to create marks, impressions and prints?

If you need a little help choosing a brayer for gelatin printing on paper check out this blog post.

drum leaf bound books of brayered prints

I have been making so many brayered prints that I am making them into books using the drum leaf binding.

The drum leaf structure opens flat and does not require any sewing. I like to make small journals for quick sketches. And because they are easy to make the books feel less precious and I am willing to fill them with notes and sketches.handmade books by linda germain

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Studio Space to support you

inspiration / /

Whether you have a big space or a tiny table I think we can arrange tools, supplies and artwork to encourage creative creation.

Big studio space - linda germain

I have moved my studio 3 times in the last 5 years, from a shared space to a huge factory loft, to a small apartment and back to the shared space.

computer space in the art studio

Each space has advantages and disadvantages. I am happy to be back in a shared space – nice to have other people around.

They all needed:

  • Accessible storage for supplies
  • Computer and printer space
  • Active design and display ares
  • Storage for tools not in use

It is a big benefit to have a “slop” sink and floors that are not precious.

slop sink great to have in art studio

The things that I have found most useful for organizing:

  1. Plastic boxes that can be stacked and made into table with an old door on top
  2. Cardboard boxes that are labeled and that fit on my shelvesboxes labeled with art supplies
  3. Filing folders are great for small printsfile folders for small print storage
  4. Plastic salad containers – stack and nest suppliesrecycled containers for art supplies storage
  5. Jars and cups for pens and brushes and stuffcups for storing art pens
  6. Suitcases with wheels for fabric, frames and more
  7. Tacks and binder clips for displaying prints in progresstacks and clips to display art in progress
  8. Bed boosters to make workbench a better height
  9. Lots of shelves
  10. Cube shelves for easy access to papers
  11. Big sheets of foam core to make a temporary tablefoam core table to hold prints
  12. Ironing board – an adjustable table
  13. Clothes lines for prints and fabricmonoprinted fabric squares by linda germain
  14. Big standing bags for storage that is accessible – rags, threads
  15. Comfortable chair or couch for breaks
  16. Hooks, nails for rulers, tools and brushes hooks and nails to hang art supplies

I would call my space controlled chaos. I go from comfortable working space to overwhelming mess and back to comfort. It helps to let go of tools and papers and prints that I don’t use or love.

I have come to realize that there will always be more and by letting go, I am making open space for something new.

Be inspired by other’s studios on my Pinterest board.

Enjoy!

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Stencils are easy and versatile

stencils / /

As far as printmaking methods go, stencils are probably the easiest to create and use.

1 – Stencils are easy to cut or tear

A stencil could be as easy a torn newsprint to block the transfer of ink on the gelatin plate. Or they could be intricate cut Tyvek.

Stencil Making Tips by Linda Germain for printmaking without a press

2 – Stencils can be used alone or combined with other printmaking methods like screen printing or gelatin printmaking

series of christmas cards - screen print in progress
screen print in prosess

3 – You can use stencils with or without a press

Most of us are not lucky enough to have access to a printing press, so stencil printing is great for the artist with a home studio.

stencil print with water based ink

4 – Stencils can be based on skills you already have like photography and drawing

Masking stencils inspired by cast shadows - linda germain
Left masking stencil and right inspiration for future stencils

If you want to explore making stencils, then join us get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Found stencils make for fun printing

stencils / /

I am a big fan of using found objects for new purposes.

Leaves and twigs as masking stencils

Leaves and ferns for monoprinting on fabric with the gel plate
Natural Materials for monoprinting with the glycerin and gelatin plate

Nearly all my stamping and braying tools are found objects.

found stamping tools to use with gelatin printmaking

Most recently I enjoyed learning new ways to cut up and re-combine books and all their parts to make collages.

book collage by linda germain

Think this way makes me see the world in a new way – filled with new FREE art making materials. Another recent repurposing was using Tetra Pak packaging as an etching/collagraph plate.

Tetra Pak prints by Linda Germain

I discovered that I could use sticky labels as masking stencils. So of course I went to the Dollar Tree Store and got a few different styles of sticky labels to play with.

sticky labels as masking stencils

I love the backing sheet. It creates a strong crisp pattern.

monoprinted fabric made with sticky stencils

Play with all the parts back and forth and enjoy the lovely impressions.

hand printed fabric with sticky labels a stencils

Want to play with stencils???

Join us in the Make Stencils Workshop – the online art class starts soon. Read all the details on the workshop page.

We will make stencils to be used alone or with other processes like gelatin printing or screen printing. You will start to see stencil making tools in everyday materials.

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