drawings

GIFTS from nature

drawings, foam plate printmaking, mark making / /

Nature has many gifts. We can simply look, listen, touch, smell and maybe even taste to receive the gifts.

raindrops on the lake

Today, my woods walk was filled with gifts:

  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Two Loons
  • Bright Blue Jays
  • Rain drops on the lake
  • Yellow dandelions

I have tried to draw in the woods and I just resist it. So today I took a few pictures and brought them back to the studio.

close up of dandelion

I abstracted the dandelion with a few sketches and then made a foam stamp. How could you bring the gifts of nature back to your studio?

abstracted dandelion foam relief stamp

weeds as stencils for gelatin printing

I always have a collection of delicate weeds and grasses for gelatin printmaking. If you like this style below, then check out the online class, Simplify.    You can sign up and be printing today! Read all the details on the workshop page. 
gelatin print, mock cyanotype

I love the monochromatic color palate of black and cyan. It is such a traditional printmaking color scheme.

gelatin print with grass as stencil

I have so many of these prints that I like to bind them into little journals. I alternate one print and one blank page, so there is space for writing. If you have a lot of single sheet prints and would like to make them into books, then you might want to check out the Bound Prints Workshop. Read all the details on the printmaking workshop page.

gelatin prints bound into a book by linda germain

I hope you find a way to receive the gifts of nature. Happy printing.

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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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Why draw faces?

drawings / /

Faces are everywhere. They are unique but similar at the same time. Drawing faces can be challenging. It depends on your expectations and goals.

contour line drawing of face

I like loose and expressive drawings that capture the essence of a person.

I watch a lot of TV, and I have started to look closely eyes, nose and mouths. It is a fun challenge to do quick  sketches of these features.

blob faces

A really fun project is to do hair portraits. It is simple and satisfying. You can use magazine references and other photos. Sometimes I feel like the hair alone can capture the essence of a person.

hair portraits

If you are struggling to see the nuances that characterize a certain face, then you could do a tracing. I am always amazed at how much I can learn from tracing the dominate lines of my face. Tiny differences in line placement can make a big difference in accuracy of the drawing.

trace to learn to see

Tracings can feel stiff and without energy. So I try to use them as a tool to help me to see more accurately.

This skill of accurately seeing carries over into drawings of all types.

line drawing of seed pod

Check out another post on drawing faces here.

Why draw faces? Read More »

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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