Balzer Designs

Quick Technique: Same Stencil but Different Results

May's "Year of Gelatin Printing" workshop was all about stenciling (using a stencil and making your own). So, I thought I'd share a quick and easy gelatin printing technique with you today (the video is about one minute long): How you print the stencil when using a gelatin plate (Gelli Plate, Gel Press Plate) makes a big difference. You may love one kind of print and hate the other. Or you may like both of them, but want to use each at different times. This stencil is called "Circle Jumble" and I'm using Liquitex Basics acrylic paint. Here's the comparison:... Read more →

4 Ways for Mixed Media Artists to Use the ScanNCut

As you know, I love my ScanNCut. But, I'm definitely not into using cookie cutter designs. That's part of the reason I love the ScanNCut so much: it allows me to express my own quirky style quickly and easily. There are so many ways to design custom files: Using the built-in editing functions in the stand-alone ScanNCut. Using the built-in scanner to scan my own original drawings or copyright free artwork from books or the internet. Using the free computer-based software, CanvasWorkspace. Using any third-party software that can output an SVG cut file. And the ScanNCut cuts a wide variety... Read more →

Figure Drawing & Creative Play with CAA

I recently attended two live online events hosted by the Cambridge Art Association (CAA), of which I am a member. On Tuesday night, Steve took over bedtime duties so that I could attend a two-hour figure drawing session. When I lived in New York City, I went to figure drawing sessions all the time. But it has been a while and I am rusty. Plus, doing it on Zoom is a little bit frustrating. The picture quality isn't great and a screen isn't the same as seeing the figure in 3-D in front of you. Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself. The... Read more →

Cut Custom Stencils With a ScanNCut

I have been using a ScanNCut since 2013. I have been designing stencils for The Crafter's Workshop since 2011. They're two things that I absolutely adore and have been doing for a long long time, so mashing them together seems like a total no-brainer. The exciting news is that there are many many ways to create stencils with your ScanNCut. Some of them are simple and based around scanning drawings. Some of them are complicated and involve spending a lot of time with a computer screen. But the good news is that you, yes YOU, can create awesome stencils with... Read more →

A Year of Gelatin Printing: Stamps & Texture Plates

There's still plenty of time to join in on the gelatin printing party! "I love how you teach Julie.. simple, thorough, really suits my style of not measuring and winging it! Thanks!" -- Robin "I love this next step in my gelli printing. It’s actually OK to be free and play. I just paint over something that doesn’t strike my fancy instead of being discouraged. Who knew!?! Thanks!!!!!!" -- Jeanne Printing with acrylic paint and stamps and texture plates -- commercial and hand made -- is tons of fun. Making stamps and texture plates is also incredibly fun! And I'm... Read more →

3 New Stencils & 7 Gel Prints

Several months ago, during a monthly member livestream, someone asked me a question about stencil design. As part of my demo, I hand cut this teeny tiny stencil: While cleaning up my studio this week, I found it. And it inspired me to create three new stencil designs. Basically, I made a cleaned-up digital version of my original hand cut stencil and then played with it in Adobe Illustrator. Here are some gelatin prints I made using these stencils: Which one is your favorite? If you'd like to learn all of my gelatin printing secrets, check out my online gelatin... Read more →

"A Year of Gelatin Printing: Found Objects" Begins on MONDAY!

Here are a few of the nice things that students have said about "A Year of Gelatin Printing: Simple Acrylic Paint Monoprints." Testimonials: “It’s incredible to me how little I knew about using my gel plate. I’m grateful for all the simple, yet important tips and directions.” – Corinne “Julie, I’ve really been enjoying this class. I know how to monoprint better than I previously did, and I’m happier with the results!” – Deborah “I am giddy with excitement over this class. I’ve been playing successfully, and I’m loving the results of my prints. Thanks again, Julie….you never disappoint!!” –... Read more →

Simple Acrylic Paint Monoprints

The first of the 13 "A Year of Gelatin Printing" monthly classes begins today! I have been teaching gelatin printing for many years. One thing I've learned while teaching my in-person classes: If a class has a gelatin printing component, you can't do the gelatin printing until late into the day. Because once people start gelatin printing, they can't stop. It's deeply addictive. I've encountered so many students who don't "get" the whole gelatin printing craze. And then they try it....! The thing that I love about gelatin printing is that, much like stamp carving, you can jump right in... Read more →

A Year of Gelatin Printing AND Bookbinding

The first time I tried a gelatin plate, I became an addict. Literally the first time. It was love at first sight! And that was in 2011! I have been gelatin printing for ten years and I want to share every single thing that I have learned about the process of gelatin printing over those ten years, with you, in my new course, "A Year of Gelatin Printing." Although, I might have mis-named the course. It should be "13 Months of Gelatin Printing AND Bookbinding." It's more than a year. In fact, there are THIRTEEN months of lessons. 13 months... Read more →

Mini Mixed Media Collages

Jane Davies shared this super short (1.5 minute) video... ...and it got me inspired. Instead of painting my paper the way that Jane did, I gelatin printed some deli paper with plain colors. I cut out a bunch of shapes and then cut down some white cardstock to 8x8. I followed Jane's rule of 3 pieces of collage per background. Here's what I've got so far: And I'm actually stuck. Some of these I like just as they are. A shocking statement for a maximalist! I think I'm going to sleep on it and decide if they need to be... Read more →