Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

What do you do to achieve your goals?

combined techniques / Linda Germain / July 23, 2013

Appointments, networks and making headway. I found that by having a commitment to another person really helps me to move forward with my goals.

Have you ever come across Marketing Mondays by Joanne Mattera? She has 4 years of marketing advise for artists. Check it out you may find something to jumpstart your week.

Today, I went to the Business Before Breakfast meeting with the Haverhill Chamber of commerce and hosted by the Wicked Big Cafe. We had a great crowd, delicious food and hot coffee.

What do you do to achieve your goals?

What is the one thing that tips the scales in your favor?

My ICAD gelatin monotype print is –

on an index card
speedball inks
using the gelatin , glycerin, alcohol and water gelatin plate
with colored pencil and charcoal scribbles

I am not a cat person but I do like this little gelatin print. I am adding new art work to my Etsy shop today.

Go over to my shop and follow it to see what is new.

Happy Printing! Go and make your mark today.

What do you do to achieve your goals? Read More »

Why Keep it Simple?

monotype print / Linda Germain / July 22, 2013

Simple sometimes works. This ICAD gelatin print is just one stencil and a bit of magenta and blue ink.

Chaos or Simplicity?

Everything is moving so fast, so much to do and see and be. Don’t you just feel your body relax when you see a clean organize monochromatic space on pinterest or in a blog post.

I do. I move back and forth between chaos and simplicity. If you saw my studio right now you would seriously wonder if simplicity was possible.

If you keep things simple:

decisions are easier
choices are clearer
thoughts are less frantic
the body can rest

When you look through your pile of gelatin prints which ones are you drawn too? Are they the simpler ones or the chaotic prints?

When you choose colors do you have 2 or 3 go to colors or do you use every single one in every print?

There are no wrong or right answers. There is just observation and information that you can use to enhance your printmaking process.

Happy Printing!

Why Keep it Simple? Read More »

Experimenting with Inks, paints and types of gelatin plates

2010 / Linda Germain / July 21, 2013

I am in the studio listening to country music and trying to understand the difference between all the types of gelatin plates and how they interact with different paints and inks.

“Gelatin” Plates that I have:

Gelatin and Water Plate – how instructions here
Gelatin, glycerin, Alcohol and Water – Instructions here
Gelli Plate – Purchase here

Inks/Paints I am using:

Speedball water based inks
Daniel Smith water-soluble inks
Golden Open Acrylics

My gelatin and water printing plate was very old and on its last leg so I had to toss it and now I am waiting for a new one to harden in the refrigerator.

I will have to do a video of this comparison experiment some time soon. All that I can say at this point is that

with each variant, you will have a different type of impression/monotype print.
weather is a factor for most the material plates and inks/paints
I will probably never have a definitive answer, so
It will come down to using what I have available at the time and
the desired type of impression that I am hoping to create.

I will always love the quality and richness of the Daniel Smith Inks, but I am sensitive to the oil in them. The print above was made with the Daniel Smith water-soluble inks and the gelli plate.

Happy Printing!

Experimenting with Inks, paints and types of gelatin plates Read More »

Drawing to improve your Gelatin Print

monotype print / Linda Germain / July 20, 2013

Butterfly stencil for this quick gelatin print. I did this in 2 simple steps.

Tools for this Gelatin Print

sponge mop head as stamping tool
potato masher as a stamping tool
Butterfly stencil
white pen, or marker
gelatin plate
orange and magenta speedball ink
brayer
palette
index card

Steps to Make the Monotype print

Roll orange ink on the plate
Mark into the orange ink with the sponge mop head
Print the orange layer onto the index card
Roll out the magenta ink
“Stamp” into the ink to with the potato masher to remove some magenta
Place the butterfly stencil on the magenta
Put the print paper on top and burnish
Then use the white pen, paint or marker to add the circles.

If you are just getting started with gelatin printing this is a good way to get started. You use both of the main tools that I use in gelatin printmaking, masking stencils and stamping tools.

Another helpful hint to getting started is to watch my videos, make a plate and start experimenting.

Drawing to improve your Gelatin Print Read More »

Link Love on Fridays

2010, Uncategorized / Linda Germain / July 19, 2013

This project gets me out looking for inspiration. My first inspiration is a realism painter with a twist Debbie Shirley. She does neon signs, old car and fruits and veggies. I think she can bring just about anything to life.

Number 2 for this week is Randal Plowman’s blog – a collage a day. He has been my inspiration for daily doings for a long time.

http://acollageaday.blogspot.com by Randal Plowman

Number 3 fabulous blog Terri Stegmiller Art Quilts, surface design, quilting, thermo fax, stencils and cats! She surprised me with a gift a few months back. Check out her whimsical style. I am sure you will smile.

Number 4, Alyson Stanfield is always giving away helpful information for artists in business. She is a business role model and has lots to offer artists and other creatives.

http://www.artbizblog.com

Number 5 blog for this week is Amy Hood Arts, she has selection of tutorials, a lot of info about working with kids and homeschooling

So click on the header images above and be inspired.

Stay Cool!

Link Love on Fridays Read More »