stamping tools

Making collage papers

collage, mark making, stamping tools / /

I have been making a lot of collage papers in preparation for my grid collages.  I think it is important to have a variety of types of marks and papers to create interesting collages.

grid collage by Linda Germain

So to do this, I use the several different techniques. Nothing too complicated. I have been incorporating my tiny little foam stamps into these collage papers. That makes the process very fast and easy.  I have been using 2 inch squares to make these collages.

stamped collage papers

The squares above were all printed with tiny foam stamps that I made. Some fit nicely on the 2 inch square and some are a little oversized. So that encouraged me to make new stamps that are small enough to be affective on this 2 inch square.

If you are interested in making these foam stamps I do have a course that is on sale for this month of April. Check out the details on the workshop page.

Tiny fish from stamps

It is possible to create several new stamps in a very short period of time. The process is fun and can be quite addictive. It is one way to make unique marks, papers, and prints.

fish prints by linda germain

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Even More stamping ideas

combined techniques, mark making, stamping tools / /

I have been enjoying making lots of tiny stamps for using in my sketchbooks. The summer weather has inspired two new motifs rocks and sailboats.

My inspiration comes from my sunfish sailing at the beach in New Hampshire.

It is a rocky shoreline and I am always collecting interesting beach rocks.

I was inspired by the stacks of rocks the I see on the beach. At first I played with crayons and watercolors to make my stacks.

stack of rocks

Then I remembered my roundish foam stamps. I combine them with thread and crayon resists. And then added some charcoal scribbles to a happy result.

stamped rock shapes

Yesterday, I enjoyed cutting out tiny sailboat stamps from craft foam.  A technique I teach in the Stamp Making + Books class. Details here.

sailboat stamps

The stamp making process is quite enjoyable and addictive. You can create several unique stance very quickly that can be incorporated into your sketchbook practice.

sailboat stamps

How is the summer season influencing your art making? Enjoy!

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Easy to make library pocket for sketchbooks

mark making, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I have been enjoying adding little pockets to my sketchbooks. I thought you might like it too. So here is a quick video:

Supplies that you will need:

  • index card or 4″ x 6″ paper
  • scissors
  • glue
  • art supplies to decorate

decorate pocket with stamped marks

You can fill your sketchbook pockets with tiny art work, blank paper or other notes.

library pocket in sketchbook

I often decorate with hand stamped marks, crayon, watercolor and markers.  If you want to learn how make ting foam stamps, then check out the details of my online class, Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books. All the lessons are available now. This technique is great for making holiday tags, cards and small bits of wrapping paper.

hand stamp holiday tags and cards

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Stamping backgrounds

mark making, stamping tools / /

I used my tiny handmade stamps to print some over all backgrounds. It is an easy way to get started in my sketchbook when I am feeling distracted.

hand stamped sketchbook page

I made a bunch of unique stamps with sticky backed foam. I like to ink these small stamps with broad tipped markers. This way I can ink the stamp with more than one color.

hand printed sketchbook page

Making several impressions with out re-inking allows me to make impressions with a range of value from light to dark. This makes for an interesting print.

hand stamped trees

Because these marks are hand printed, I can apply pressure to different parts of the stamp to get darker or lighter prints. The imperfect and incomplete trees above were created with just the one stamp. If you would like to explore this low tech method of mark making then check out the online class Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books.

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Join Me – New Class – stamp making

artist book, collage, combined techniques, monotype print, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I am excited about the new class that starts October 25th. This class is about:

  • Making small stamps out of sticky backed foam
  • Slipknot book form
  • a gelatin print lesson and
  • a bit of collage

I love this combination of techniques. There is something for everyone. So you can choose a focus that fits your interest at this time.

slipknot book with gelatin print and collage

The slipknot binding is great for sketchbooking, because it can be flipped and folded to always lie flat. It takes a bit of thread management to link the pages together, but it is a pretty easy book form.

Gelatin monotype with stamping

I am including a gelatin print session so you will have prints to respond to with collage and stamping.

The collage lesson is just to get beyond the blank page.

slipknot bound books

Read all the details and join us in Stamp Making + Mixed Media Book Workshop.

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