I was able to take advantage of my new studio space last week. I pull 300 thermofax screen prints of a delicate flower to give away as part of a goodie bag at the WOW conference next week. I could not have do this big project in my old space. It was affirming to be able to put the new studio to work right away.
I still have most everything in boxes. I can’t find what I am looking for most of the time. But I have 22 sun filled windows.
Busy moving my studio. Fun! I just have to move stuff little by little. I decide do I really want to carry it up to the fourth floor. Keep on Printing!
Making notes on a practice monotype print – Linda Germain
Monotype printing Notes
Monotypes by definition are one of a kind prints. Sometimes I make a print and want to be able to repeat the technique and make similar impressions. I want to remember:
The ink I used
The paper
The type of stencil and the material it was made with
The weather or time of year
What steps I took and in what order
Use practice prints to reference process
An easy way to remember is to write notes on some less than perfect prints. Keep these notes in a folder and then you do not have to reinvent the wheel with every new printing session.
Do you keep notes or do you just create with abandon? What works for you?
This is what one student expressed about Make Monotypes, printmaking class:
Linda’s workshops are the perfect mix of instruction and going wild creating on my own. There are no mistakes. Everything is perfect and can be adapted, trimmed, printed over- unlimited possibilities!
I keep taking the class because I learn and do something new every time. I make tons of prints and pull them out to incorporate into all kinds of projects. Paula M, – Make Monotypes
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When is the last time you blew bubbles? That’s for kids right? Well, you know that I embrace the idea – “if you think it, then try it,” when making monotype prints.
So, I tried blowing bubbles in my glycerin and gelatin printing plate, as it was hardening up.
Why? Well, some of my favorite monotypes were pulled on an old moldy gelatin plate. That was before I knew about adding glycerin. You can watch a quick slideshow of some of those prints here.
As the plain gelatin and water printing plate ages, it develops holes. These holes cause the ink to transfer to the paper differently. It is an unpredictable process, but I love the results. You may want to experiment with your printing plate.
The glycerin plate lasts so long and is so durable, that it does not age and mold the way the plain gelatin and water plate does. Most people would think that is a good thing. But I missed the affects of aging gelatin.
Here are 3 things I learned about blowing bubbles in the glycerin plate:
I was able to take advantage of my new studio space last week. I pull 300 thermofax screen prints of a delicate flower to give away as part of a goodie bag at the WOW conference next week. I could not have do this big project in my old space. It was affirming to be able to put the new studio to work right away.
