book arts

Simple tools – bold marks

artist book, book arts, combined techniques, foam plate printmaking / /

I love to keep the printmaking process simple and non-toxic. That is one reason that I enjoy gelatin printmaking so much.

simplified gelatin plate monotype prints

I also enjoy the easy printmaking process of relief printing. Sticky back foam and scissors make this even easier.

foam relief stamps

The simpler the design the more I like it. Stamp pads can be expensive and the ones I buy dry up too fast. I found a way to ink the foam plates with broad nib markers.

broad tip poster markers to ink foam relief plate

I can quickly print these stamps in books and on papers. I love that I can use limited supplies and have very little clean up. And because I am using water based markers to “ink” the foam stamps everything is dry very quickly.

foam stamps printed on book page

I have made quite a stack of little foam stamps over the last few weeks. Some inspired by nature walks.

tiny foam bird stamps by linda germain

I think small is good for this process, because they are easy to ink and print. I have made a few that are about 6″ long and I think that is big enough.

blue bell foam stamp

hand stamped cat print

Check out the self study printmaking classes that are available now.

 

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Take an art vacation

artist book, book arts, drawings, inspiration / /

I just got back from a week at Maine Media. Oh boy did I need to get away. And I am glad to be back in the studio with renewed energy and ideas.

tetra pak intaglio plates

I have joined in on some online courses this year and they have been stimulating too. But working in person with instructors and fellow artists offers another energy.

The class was “A Sense of Place” with Isobel Lewis. We explored Rockport Harbor on the first day and did several drawings to capture the feel and essence. Luckily it was a sunny spring day.

rockport harbor

We spent the week making marks and working the papers into several different book forms.

accordion book

The book above was formed with 4 Tetra Pak intaglio prints. I love the loose threads that symbolize the ropes and lines of the boating community.

tetra pak print by Linda Germain

Enjoy a short video of a single sheet accordion book that a made during the week.

Consider giving yourself the gift of an art vacation. Some of the places that I have enjoyed:

Check your local art schools for more options.

 

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Make a brown bag book

artist book, book arts, handmade books, inspiration, mark making, techniques / /

Today, I had the urge to make a brown bag book. I share with you my process so you can make some too.

brown bag art book

  • First I took the bag apart, so it was one flat sheet.
  • Then I ironed out the wrinkles
  • Painted white gesso over the store advertising
  • Added some bold black india ink marks
  • Cut into long 10″ strips (final size 6″ x 9″)

rough cut book pages

book pages

  • The cut the long 10″ strip into 6″ x 9″ sheets
  • Fold each in half and stack inside each other to make a single signature
  • Clip together and punch 3 holes in the spine
  • Follow video instructions to sew together

A couple of extra tips:

  1. It is ok if the pages are not perfectly the same
  2. Make sure your holes are big enough for easier sewing
  3. You can choose how you stack your sheets so you create a blank page spread and then a painted spread. Play with how you stack the sheets together to create a book that suits your style.
  4. Press with heavy weight to get it to lay flat

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did. Check out the self study classes available now.

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Make Marks Supplies List

book arts, drawings, handmade books, mark making, mark making tools / /

You can make interesting marks with simple tools. Enjoy this quick video.

 

In this online class we will layer marks to reveal a visual story. Read all the details on the workshop page.

The suggested supplies:

  • Gelatin plate – FREE recipe here
  • Speedball water based ink
  • brayer
  • paper of your choice – I like
    • 90 lb drawing paper 12″ x 18″
    • Rice paper on a roll or 12″ x 18″
    • Tracing paper on a roll or 12″ x 18″
    • I like these sizes and papers because I am making a long landscape shaped book, but you could do the techniques at any size. So use what you have
    • One large sheet of sturdy printmaking paper, watercolor paper or mixed media paper for the cover. I use Arnhem. But you can use what you have.
  • Cardboard
  • thin easy to cut craft foam sheets
  • set of small children’s blocks (dollar store)
  • water based markers
  • Variety of found mark making tools (see photo below)
  • glue
  • exacto knife
  • soft crayons

Hope to see you in class.

mark making into books

 

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Go back to your sketchbooks – reference

book arts, drawings, mark making / /

Generally, I need a reference for drawing. I don’t do so well just drawing from memory or imagination.

drawing of leaves

Some of my favorite drawings are the ones of twigs and organic items found in the woods. They feel authentic, real, most like me.

twig and berry drawing

Recently I have been looking back through my sketchbooks to find flowers, leaves and doodles to add to a new book.

use sketchbook for drawing reference

In the image above, I used the sketchbook drawing of the black vines as a reference for the lower drawing in a new book in progress. The bigger book is one I am creating with the lessons from the Make Marks + Books online class. The book is layered with marks, prints and doodles. And in this one I am finishing it with leaf, vine and flower drawings.

This loose layering approach:

  • fosters just beginning and going with the flow
  • allows you experiment with different kinds of mark making
  • delete, cover or edit undesirable marks
  • discover meaning, focus or story as you go
  • identify your strengths and preferences

If this sound interesting to you, then read the details on the Make Marks + Books workshop page. Class starts soon.

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