New tools for printmaking

stencil print / /

I had been hearing about the Xcut X-Press craft machine from Annie Day and the Printmaking sisters in Australia. They use this small embossing craft machine to make beautiful waterless lithography prints, etching prints and lino cut prints.

Xcut XPress craft machine for printmaking

I know I prefer the immediacy of monoprinting with the gelatin plate. I really like the non-toxic water based inks that I use, but I still wanted to check out this small, inexpensive “printing press.”

And I am glad that I did. For about $130.00 I now have a little press for making experimental prints. I have tried printing:

  • foam core intaglio etching
  • foam relief plate
  • paper stencil
  • used Akua intaglio ink
  • tried water soluble pastels
  • water based speedball block printing inks

I am going to play around with some collagraph plates. And see what happens.

stencil print with water based ink

The tree print above was made from a cut paper card that I found at Extras for Creative Reuse, the local recycling center for artists, teachers and other creative people.

I inked the delicate paper card with speedball block printing ink and ran is through my new little press. I was happy with the print on the right, even though the ink coverage was a little uneven. The card is delicate and will probably not last too long, but I liked figuring out how to use the “tools” and water based inks that I have around.

intaglio print made from coated foam core

This is a quick print that I did with an etched foam core plate. I made this at the Book Arts course at USM last summer. It is a piece or foam core coated with gloss medium. Then you just draw into it with and etching needle, you can pull off the first layer of paper as well.

The plate is pretty worn, but I was happy with the quick prints that I made on rice paper and masa paper. I used Akua intaglio inks for that process.

Happy Printing!

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Tools to make rubbings

tools / /

I found a few new tools at Extra’s for Creative Reuse this week. I had my eye out for blocks with clean raised edges and patterns.

found object printmaking tools for making brayer rubbings

Above you can see I did some test prints on dry cotton fabric, with screen printing ink. I am quite happy with how crisply they printed up.

hand printing on cotton fabric

If you are hunting for found object rubbing plates, look for:

  • level blocks
  • strong raised marks or patterns
  • sizes that you can easily handle

hand printed linen by linda germain

I used a stencil to make the flower shape and then the white rubbing plate to make the random interesting line. I like the ragged, frayed edge. I would like to figure out a way to use it in the final design.

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Limit the elements to simplify the monoprint

fabric prints / /

I made another pillow cover with some monoprinted fabric. I wanted to see if I could simplify the design.

I would say I was able to simplify the pillow cover in many ways, compared to the pillow I did last week.

process of gel printing on fabric

This is what I did differently:

  • I used full size fabric pieces so I did not have to piece the cover together
  • I used just one color
  • I limited my tools to 3 stamping/rubbing tools and one stencil

I found a couple of interesting mark making tools at Extras for Creative Reuse, our local recycle store. I just loved the designs and patterns on this Sperry Sandal. And the geometric patter of this tile piece inspired me.

found object marking tools for printmaking

I tested them out and they worked OK, not a fabulously as I had hoped. But they could still inspired some foam relief plates.

back side of pillow cover with monoprinted cloth

I mainly used them to create light brayer rubbings in the background. I relied on the the bold flower stencil to create the darker marks and the focus of the fabric print.

pillow sham sewn with monoprinted fabric

I had the straight line “tool” in my stash of found object mark making tools. I am sure I got it at Extras for Creative Reuse a while back. I like how I have a uneven =, dynamic balance of marks, motion and value.

You still have time to join us in Monoprinting on Fabric. Class starts soon. Read the details on the printmaking workshop page and register today.

You will make your own fabric for pillows and more.

Students are liking Monoprinting on Fabric

Gelatin Printing on Fabric Loved it! 3 key approaches I have learned

  • bubbles/imperfections in the gelatine plate can be a good thing – it does NOT have to be perfectly smooth,
  • doing a brayer rubbings on a piece of fabric and
  • finally being able to get a coordinated set of prints.

Thank you everyone in the class for your comments and adding to the learning process. Erin J. from Australia

 

 

Monoprinting Fabric has been a wonderful class…so well presented.

I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

from Candee L from the US

 

Check out some student work in this video.

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Video of Student Monoprints on Fabric

fabric prints / /

Monoprinting on fabric is fast and experimental.

Check out some prints made by the participants of the last session of Monoprinting on fabric, the online printmaking course.

Monoprintng on Fabric – Student work from Linda Germain on Vimeo.

If this looks fun to you, then you are in luck. The next session of this printmaking class starts soon. Read the details and join us today.

Students are learning a lot:

kathyirving-2 happy printmaking student

Monoprinting Fabric is an enjoyable and valuable learning experience. I will miss the daily anticipation of what new technique was coming next. Linda provided an excellent foundation to build on, and I am grateful for her expertise and willingness to share it with us. I look forward to another class with you. Kathy I. from the US

Gelatin Printing on Fabric Loved it! 3 key approaches I have learned

  • bubbles/imperfections in the gelatine plate can be a good thing – it does NOT have to be perfectly smooth,
  • doing a brayer rubbings on a piece of fabric and
  • finally being able to get a coordinated set of prints.

Thank you everyone in the class for your comments and adding to the learning process. Erin J. from Australia

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New habits and old

drawings / /

I am trying to trick myself into new habits. I confess, I do enjoy watching TV.

Instead of making myself bad and wrong for enjoying TV, I had the idea to add an activity to the mindless, but enjoyable TV watching.

I have tried 2 different activities, that I think will feed my art making process:

  1. Making drawings and doodles without judgement on index cards
  2. Hand stitching on monoprinted cloth

monoprinting fabric with hand sewing linda germain

I am pretty pleased with my ability to trick myself into action.

The monoprinted fabric flower above was easy to experiment with. I started with some french knots, but did not like how they looked. So I quickly pulled them out and tried the primitive running stitch.

pack of doodlesby linda germain

I am super excited about this “Doodle Pack.”

I was helping out at Extras for Creative Reuse, the local recycling center, and I was tempted by a stack of 4″ designs on transparent plastic.

I thought, Wow!

These would be great for inspiring printing plates, and stencils and screens.

BUT, I am trying to get rid of stuff not collect more stuff.

So, I decided to make my own stack of small designs and doodles that could inspire printing plates, screens and stencils.

It is so simple. All you need is:

  • a package of index cards,
  • hole punch
  • loose leaf ring clip
  • pen, sharpie or pencil

I love about this format because it is so easy  to just throw away wicked ugly doodles. Also it is small and easy to carry around. It seems to move me away from thinking that every drawing needs to be good, precious or worthy.

It is empowering to be able to just do a quick doodle and move to another page without judgement.

I would love to provide you with instruction and support with your art making goals. Check out the full schedule of online workshops. Hopefully you find a class that fits your needs.

The next class is Monoprinting on Fabric with the Gelatin Plate. Class starts next week – Jan 9th! Join us for some fun experimental printmaking.

Students are getting a lot:

Marsha happy student in Make Monotypes with Linda GermainIf you think that you can’t learn in an online environment, think again!

You will be amazed at how much you learn from Linda. Each day she shows you techniques, through her very informative videos. You can play the videos again and again to further understand the process.

I learned the basics – making a plate, rolling ink (this took some practice!) and pulling a print. I am pleased with this. I feel that I can really move on and explore this technique in greater depth on my own.

Marsha Hardin Reske – Make Monotypes 

More testimonials here.   Hope to see you in a class soon!

 

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