Traveling printmaking supplies

gelatin print tips / /
travel printmaking kit for monotype printing on the road linda germain
travel printmaking kit for monotype printing on the road linda germain

I have been making a print a day in May as I promised at the beginning of the month.  I was away from internet access for the last few days.  So I will do a little catch up here.

Make a printmaking travel kit

First I made a travel kit  of printmaking supplies that included my glycerin printing plate and it all fit in a cigar box. The glycerin and gelatin plate is much studier than the plate made with gelatin alone.  It can withstand the rigors of traveling. I included all the basics:

  • a few stencils
  • paper and a small book for holding stencils and for printing on
  • Little spray bottle
  • 3 inks
  • a brayer
  • scissors and a pencil
  • a few stamping tools
Small glycerin plate, 2 plexi glass pates in a zip lock bag - linda germain
Small glycerin plate, 2 plexi glass pates in a zip lock bag – linda germain

I cut a glycerin plate in half and put a small piece of plexi glass on the top and bottom and slipped them into a zip lock bag.  It worked great.  I did not even clean the palette when I headed home and got this abstract print today.

It was nice to work with limitations.  I think I learn more and push the boundaries of what is possible  when I have limits.  I will share more prints tomorrow.

Try a printmaking class

Would you like to explore gelatin printing with the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate in Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class. Check the workshop schedule and sign up.

This is what one student expressed about Make Monotypes, printmaking class:

I  am delighted at how well organized the class is and how much I am learning. Linda, you are a wonderful teacher. THANKS.  Each lesson is well thought out, and the videos are easy to understand.  I truly appreciate your interest in each student’s  development.  It has been absolutely perfect, and I am so grateful that you offered this class online.  I hope you offer an advanced class sometime soon!
Elenor M. – Make Monotypes
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It’s the delicate impression that I LOVE

Gelatin plate print / /
Monotype print by linda germain
Monotype print by linda germain

Today I used my favorite colors black and blue and orange. I use some canson mixed Mixed media paper.  I worked up sections of the paper at a time.

It is the fine detail that can be obtained with the glycerin plate and gentle hand pressure that makes this a process that I love, and want to share with others.

There are still a few spots available in the summer session of Make Monotypes.  Check out the details and sign up soon, so you to can learn to love the amazing details.

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Trust yourself to make the next mark

monotype print / /
Multi layered monotype print by linda germain
Multi layered monotype print by linda germain

Sometimes it is scary to just make the next mark on a print that you really care about. I try not to get attached to a piece. But it is hard to be willing to ruin it or give it that one little mark that is going to make it pop.

Here are some tips to confident mark making with gelatin printing.  I do this minimize the risk and be willing to make the next mark:

  • I have several prints going at once so I am more willing to take chances
  • I wait a day or two to see if I gain any clarity and
  • In the end, it is just a piece of paper. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

What do you do to support yourself in taking risks?

 

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Lots of layers in today’s monotype print

Gelatin plate print / /
Monotype print by linda germain
Monotype print by linda germain

I continued playing with the hole style stencil today. I have a pile of prints with potential laying on the floor. Some folks might call them failed prints, but I prefer to see it the  other way.

If you want to join me in this process, then sign up for the next session of Make Monotypes.    This what one student had to say:

I am delighted at how well organized the class is and how much I am learning. Linda, you are a wonderful teacher. THANKS. Each lesson is well thought out, and the videos are easy to understand. I truly appreciate your interest in each student’s development. It has been absolutely perfect, and I am so grateful that you offered this class online. I hope you offer an advanced class sometime soon!
Elenor Martin Austria – Make Monotypes 2014

I hope you join us for 4 weeks of exploring making monotypes with out a press and on the glycerin plate.

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Making prints with the “hole” stencil

stencil print / /

Paper stencils for making monotypes by linda germain

Go to my flickr page to see today’s print.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lgcreate/14001803157/

Today printed a few monotypes with the traditional stencil, which is the paper with a hole through which ink passes.

I often use the thin stencils to mask areas of the plate, or to transfer ink as in yesterday’s print.  But if you use the traditional hole stencil you can get a nice clean sharp edge impression. Stencil printing is great for those times when you want a sharp edge and you only need one impression.

If you want some support in exploring the different kinds of stencils and their applications, then sign join us in the next session of Make Monotypes

Making prints with the “hole” stencil Read More »