Screen Printing Tools on Tuesday

thermofax screen print over a gelatin print by linda germainThermofax screens are so easy to use and are easily incorporated in to mixed media printmaking.  One challenge that I have when screen printing is keeping my fingers clean, so that I can keep my prints clean.  I have found that –

  • take the time to set up my workspace
  • so I have space for the inky screen, the squeegee and the prints
  • then everything goes  a little more smoothly

Today I pulled out a pile of practice gelatin prints.  These are prints that are less than perfect, something a did for a demo or a warm up.  I have folders and folders of these types of prints.

You know my motto is make lots of prints so that you will get one or two that you really love.

I pulled out a pile of prints and set up my workspace and printed this fish on top of several gelatin plate prints.

Another tip for thermo fax screen print is to prepare many printing surfaces.  I mean have a lot of paper ready to print on.  Once your screen is filled with ink you want to keep printing, so you don’t waste the ink.  This is great if you are a fabric artist and like to create over all patterns on large pieces of fabric.  An artist buddy of mine, Linda Branch Dunn does this a lot.

ThermoFax set up by Linda Germain
Workspace set up for thermofax printing on gelatin prints
printing with a thermo fax screen by linda germain
The screen is lined up with the lines on the framing mat and I used a credit card to pull the ink through the screen

The empty plastic containers you see in the upper right hand corner are great for setting the inky screen on and the inky squeegee/credit card.  That way you avoid creating ink blobs here and there.

Pulling the thermo fax screen print by linda germain
Pulling the print

I am thinking about creating an online thermofax screen printing workshop. If you are interested in learning more about screen prints with the thermo fax screen, then join the special interest list.

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Gelatin Printmaking Workshops for the Fall

Well what do you think?  a gelatin print by linda germainI am happy to share with you my fall schedule for workshops in my studio, Haverhill, MA.

These classes include:

I have tried to come up with a variety of topics but whatever we will be doing it will include:

  • guided exploration
  • fun experimentation and
  • supportive environment

The gelatin plate print on the left has some faint red marks that I made with the paper tube stamping tool that I shared with you last week. I like the delicate subtle marks.

Please help me reach local students who would love to play with printmaking this fall.  Share this blog post on your favorite social media channel.

Happy Printing!

Linda

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Printing Tools on Tuesday

paper tube stamping tools for printmaking by linda germain I have seen these paper tube projects on pinterest and was inspired to make a stamping tool for gelatin printing.

So simple to make and yet I am thinking they will create a lovely delicate mark in the ink on the gelatin plate.

  • I used just one small tube and
  • cut it into 1/2 ovals.
  • I use the paper cutter to cut them evenly
  • Then I used the hot glue gun
  • to hold them  all together.
  • I tried not to get globs of glue on the bottom
  • because those globs will print.

I did not have time today to try out my new printing tool but I will this week and then share some images with you.

 

If you have already printed with this tool and a picture then share them with the gelatin printmaking flickr group.

stamping tool for gelatin printmaking by linda germain
Arrange the ovals and hot glue together.
stamping tool for gelatin printmaking by linda germain
ready to glue.

If you are interested in a gelatin printmaking workshop with me, then please check out the schedule here.  I keep the classes small so you get the most from you gelatin print class.

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Printmaking workshops for the Fall

artist book with screen printed pages by linda germainI have just added 8 workshops to my fall schedule.  Please take a look and see if anything interests you.  There are 4 dates to choose from for the full day of gelatin printmaking.  See the description here.

And then I have put together 4 evening workshop that involve printmaking and book making, collage, some fiber and screen printing.  Check out the details here.

Happy Printing

LInda

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5 Fabulous Tutorials

buy art from linda germain

  1. This Amazing 16 page journal by Teesha Moore is very thorough  and clear.  I have not done it yet but I am going to.
  2. Michelle from PrintCutSew.com  has a great video tutorial for paper stencil screen printing.
  3. How to not track your own visits in Google Analytics. I know this is not crafty or artsy, but we are more than artists and sometimes this stuff is good to know.
  4. How to make a vegan vanilla “cappuccino” – I enjoyed this recipe, I hope you will too.
  5. This is one t-shirt redo that I have wanted to try, but have not gotten around to it yet.

 

We are so lucky to have so much information available to us for free on the internet.  I am sharing these 5 favorite tutorials as part of the Link Love Mission hosted by Tammy Garcia from Daisy Yellow and Sister Diane from Crafty Pod.

I am a week behind, but I hope that is ok.  Sharing is always good even when it is a little late.share the link love daisy yellow

I am going to try to catch up.

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