I ♥ printmaking

(Linoprint on Stonehenge paper)

For the past few months, the most inspiring thing to me is printmaking. I’ve taken some classes and have been experimenting with different methods and it’s just pure fun.

I’ve been thinking why it’s such a fulfilling process and here are a few reasons:

(Linoprint on paper made of fabric fiber)

1. It’s tangible

It’s incredible to make something you can hold in your hands. The texture, the ability to immediately give it to someone else as a gift. It's a real mark in the world, the instant reward through the act of making.

(Left: Copper plate etched. Right: Etching print)

2. The craft

Learning a new skill always inspires me. Each new technique, new material, new way of making something is a learning opportunity and the end result becomes just a small part of the process. I think it’s easier to forget being present during every step of the way when I’m not working with traditional media and end up focusing only on the end result and not the process itself. Crafting makes everything slower and, I find it so more enjoyable because of it.

(Linoprint process)

3. The design part is so small

I love designing and illustrating something but when you work digitally, you keep making decisions from beginning to end and that allows you to second guess any result you get. Until the last stroke, the last layer, you can change what the design will look like. With printmaking, on the other hand, having the idea and creating the design can be as little as 10% of the process. The 90% left is on the making and there will always be parts that are a bit out of your control. And that is why…

4. The end result is unexpected

Each print is unique, part of the printmaking process is the discovery through making it. Well, it is on the name right?

Print + making

You always need to adjust the pressure, the amount of ink, it depends on the type of paper or fabric, the weather… The way you are making the print is an unpredictable combination of factors and you keep tweaking them until something comes out at the end of it. It just makes me so curious to see more and make more.

I’ve learned a few different printing methods and techniques. I’ll share more in the future but if this interests you now, there is a lot of free information out there. You can definitely do it on your own and in your home without any fancy press or many materials.

Well then...

This will be my last newsletter of 2022! I've been trying to keep it up every 2 weeks and I hope you are enjoying reading as much as I am making them. I wish you Happy Holidays and a beautiful loving time with your loved ones. Thank you so much for reading this (if you are still here) and see you in 2023 ;)

Happy creating!

Mari

OBS: I’m making bunnies right now because next year is the year of the rabbit ／(=╹x╹=)＼