How do you care for your Brayers?

mark making tools / /

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How do you care for your tools?

I love having lots of brayers available, so that I don’t have to stop and clean them, when I am in the flow of printmaking.  Since they are an expensive tool, I want to take care of them, so they will last a long time.

A good brayer spins easily and evenly.  I often check the spin quality, before I buy them if I can.  So to keep your brayers spinning for many years to come, I suggest:

  1. When printing rest the brayer on the metal cross bar rather than the rubber roller.
  2. Don’t let acrylic paint or other quick drying supplies dry on your brayer
  3. Have a bucket and rag handy while working to clean as you go.
  4. Roll the brayer on clean pages of a phone book to remove most of the ink before washing
  5. Never use hot, hot water or harsh cleaners on your brayer
  6. Get those hard to reach nooks and crannies clean on the sides and edges of your brayer.  That is where the ink likes to hide.
  7. If you share your tools, then make sure your friends know how to care for the brayer too.

Those are some quick tips to keep those brayers rolling.

If you are interested in learning more of my printmaking tips join me in a class soon. Read about the current printmaking classes here.

Happy Printing!

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Zea Mays – a nontoxic printmaking studio in New England

2010 / /

Dark Blue Grasses - gelatin plate monotype print by linda germainZea Mays is in western Massachusetts and offers workshops, studio time and artist residencies.  They offer a Tuesday Morning Monotype class where they explore relief plates, Auka inks and viscosity printing. I would like to check out this printmaking studio sometime.  A residency to create a body of work sounds wonderful.

I have been working without a press for so long, and I love how immediate it is.  I wonder if I would enjoy using a press for certain types of prints.  I know I would love  an extended period of time away from distractions to just play with a new series of monotype prints.

Happy Printing,

Linda

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What do you want to learn about Making Monotypes?

2010 / /

295x295_L_germain_IMG_3994-EditI am busy planning and working on the details of my E-course, Make Monotypes with the gelatin plate.  I am so excited  – because with this format, I will be able to cover so much more information than in a one or even a two day course.  I imagine that the students will have time to experiment and learn and master certain skills that just come with time.

But believe it or not I need to go to the beach!  Yes it is October in New England and I do have several layer of clothes on but I have the chance to visit with some family, who I have been missing.  So I am off for some salt air.

What is the one thing you would like to learn from me about making monotypes with the gelatin plate?

Sign up here to be the first to know when registration opens for the e-course.

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Printmaking with Stencils – no press needed

stencils / /

Paper stencils for making monotypes by linda germainI have been playing with cutting simple stencils from paper.  I like to keep the stencils small so they are easy to print with.  The duct tape on the edges is a great way to stabilize the stencil and it gives you a nice border to block the transfer of unwanted ink.

Stencils are a great way of making prints without having a press.  They are easy to clean and care for.

Make some stencils today and go and play!

If you want to join me in “Make your Mark with Monotype Prints” the E-Course then sign up for the mailing list and be the first to know when registration opens.

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Installing Make your Mark Sign

2010, Haverhill / /

Installing Make your Mark sign on my car Linda Germain

I had a vinyl sign made by the Sign Center, a local company here in Haverhill.  I got the idea from the Assets for Artist’s Program that I participated in last year.  I thought about it for a long time and had it on my to do list for ever.

Now It is Done!

The wind gave us a challenge, but the sunny warm day is fantastic.  Now I have to wash the rest of my car!

Mark making is such a cool term.  I love using inspired objects to make marks.  I found a lovely old hand made doily that I plan to use on my gelatin plate this weekend.

I will share the results on Monday.

If you want to explore mark making with me in my upcoming online course, then be sure to sign up for the newsletter and I will send you the details as they develop.

Happy Printing!

Linda

 

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