mark making

Mark making tools

mark making, mark making tools, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have favorite mark making tools?

I do. I love black gel pens that flow smooth and easy. Of course I love to use cut glass to make marks with the gelatin plate. Below you will find more of my favorites.

mark making tools

  1. Black gel pen for contour drawings and fine line doodles.
  2. Kids water based markers for “inking” small relief blocks and drawings.
  3. Soft kids crayons for rubbings and rough line drawings.
  4. Homemade relief stamps for pattern making.
  5. Small set of alphabet stamps for printing words.
  6. Cut glass for making impressions with ink and the gelatin plate.
  7. Small brayer for linear and blocky bold marks.
  8. Red acrylic ink and an eye dropper for bold colorful lines and blobs.
  9. Round and oval caps of all sizes for stamping.
  10. Plastic doily for delicate impressions.
  11. Corrugated cardboard for making designs with the gelatin plate.

Make marks book

Often a combination of marks with different qualities creates an interesting image.

The quality of marks can be:

  • thick or thin
  • bold or delicate
  • aggressive or timid
  • smooth or ragged
  • flat or dimensional
  • and so on

The characteristic of the mark convey a feeling or mood. It is fun to use a unique combination of marks and tools to tell your own story.

We explore several mark making approaches in the online printmaking classes. Check out what classes are currently being offered.

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Keep your hands and eyes moving

drawings, inspiration, mark making / /

As I prepare for the upcoming class, Creating Habits I am beginning to realized that much of my art making is about getting my hands and eye to work together to create an image.phone photo reference for drawing

We often take these two functions for granted. That is until we start to lose the abilities of either one.

draw tools on desk

I am learning to appreciate what I can do and to realize it is a daily process to keep and build my seeing and drawing skills. I have to keep it fun.

look up into the trees

3 ways to build my seeing skills

  1. Look at things from a different perspective – like upside down
  2. Pause and notice what is above or below
  3. Take a lot of pictures of things I like from different angles

funky hand drawn fonts

3 ways to build my hand coordination

  1. Look closely and “draw” a new font
  2. Do hand yoga – gently appreciate the movements
  3. Play with loosely holding pens and brushes at a distance

I encourage you to notice and appreciate your hands and eyes and to celebrate your abilities.

If you are interested in exploring hand/eye skills more deeply, then check out the current workshops.

Enjoy!

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Next step – art making habits

inspiration, mark making / /

Art making can be a journey of ups and downs. The trick is to keep moving even in the down phase of the trip.

creating habits sketchbook

  • Suspending judgement of each little step can help keep the process enjoyable.
  • Remember it is a process
  • Build in support for the times when you are in a funk

I have been using collage and drawing techniques lately to keep me moving forward. These processes can be very hands on. I find I can easily get lost in the process and soon forget that I was in a funk.

draw a twig a day

The key for me is to:

  • make it easy to get started
  • quick to finish
  • create some sense of satisfaction

If you are curious about creating some art making habits that could carry you through the ups and downs of daily life, then check out the details of the online class, Creating Habits.

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Do you look or SEE?

drawings, inspiration, mark making / /

Making art is about seeing. We use the sense of sight all day, and yet do we really see much?

Look longer to SEE

The more I practice drawing and art making the more I know that it all is based on:

  • slowing down
  • looking long and closely
  • and training my hand to translate what my eyes are really seeing.

I think that it helps to think of seeing as a muscle/athlete in training. It is a skill that can be honed, focused or shaped.

berries drawing Linda Germain

We are so fortunate to live in this world with its abundant feast for our eyes. The challenge for the artist is to edit and find unique focus.

Things that I have been SEEING lately:

  • Shapes on roof tops and steeples
  • Different fonts
  • Autumn berries and twigs

I have complied some of my SEEING practices into a class, Creating Habits. Check out the details and join us.

collage skyline sketchbook practice

 

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3 reasons to take an online art class

inspiration, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

I love taking art classes in person and online.

art workshop

When I need some inspiration for my art practice taking a class often helps me generate new ideas. Often the class is a new subject or technique. Or sometimes I take a class because I love the teacher and her philosophy stimulates my process.

workspace - linda germain

Recently, in person options have been limited, so online art classes have been my choice.

mountain scapes

Online workshops are great because:

  1. I have access to the lessons right from the comfort of my studio. No travel, traffic or parking challenges. I have all my tools readily available and I don’t have to pack up or lug supplies to the workshop location.
  2. More bang for my buck. Online classes are often much less expensive than an in person class. Also I enjoy the benefits of feedback and encouragement from a wider group of classmates. Influences of an international group of students in online classes is unique.
  3. I don’t have to take notes or worry about missing key skills. Most online workshops are downloadable or have lifetime access. So I can watch videos and do lessons over and over again. And each time I learn something new from the same material.

I hope I have encouraged you to check out online art classes to inspire and support your art practice.

If you are interested check out the current online art classes that I am offering.

monochromatic Mountains

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