Block Prints and Watercolor with Helen Shafer Garcia
A modern twist on an ancient art that is so achievable
Enroll in Course
It is important that an art instructor be a good artist, but they also must be very good at presenting their techniques and style with a thorough, yet easy to understand approach. Helen Shafer Garcia is one of those artists and instructors, and we are thrilled to present her latest course, “Block Prints and Watercolor” here at Create Arts Online.
Helen teaches her block print and watercolor techniques with a very relaxed, yet informative approach. She shares each step in detail, and it will feel like Helen is by your side as you learn one section at a time.
In this course you will learn:
- Why Helen loves this technique so much
- Helen’s favorite tools and materials
- Where to find inspiration for your designs
- How to create your design in an easy-to-draw approach
- How to transfer the design to the rubber plate
- How carve out the design or image of the block print/plate
- How to test the plate before adding paint
- How to add Helen’s favorite paint to the plate
- How to transfer the plate to the paper
- How to paint with watercolors and Helen’s well known “drop in” technique
- How to add final details and collage elements
- How to embellish with colored pencils
- How to make multiple prints that can be made on a variety of surfaces
- How to sign your work and make it an "edition" piece
This technique can be used on a wide variety of substrates or materials. It is not only good on hot pressed watercolor paper, but it can be used on old book pages, untreated cotton fabric, clay, rice paper, wood, metal, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Once you learn Helen’s techniques you will have the confidence and skills to be creating your very own one-of-a-kind block prints that can be used over and over again, year after year. Once you have started your course, feel free to reach out to Helen in the comment sections of the course with your questions or photos of your work.
Your Instructor
Helen Shafer Garcia is a painter, mixed media, book arts, ceramics artist and
Course Curriculum
-
StartIntro and Personal Interview with Helen and Tami (8:22)
-
StartPDF for download. Suggested tools materials and resources. Block print designs for download
-
StartOverview of the course content (0:55)
-
StartMaterials overview (5:14)
-
StartA variety of Helen's block stamps (6:37)
-
StartDesign and drawing inspirations (6:19)
-
StartTransferring the design to the block (4:58)
-
StartIntro to the carving tools and carving the rubber (4:54)
-
StartBest practices for holding the carving tool and the correct pressure (1:59)
-
StartCarving the first block (6:08)
-
StartTesting the first stamp (3:16)
-
StartGathering ideas for design (6:47)
-
StartAdding a border and transferring the design (3:10)
-
StartStarting to carve the main design (7:52)
-
StartCarving letters (4:33)
-
StartTesting the stamp (2:50)
-
StartPainting the plates and creating the prints (8:24)
-
StartImportant cleaning techniques (1:45)
-
StartLet's get the paints out and start to watercolor (11:32)
-
StartContinue to paint alongside Helen, adding details and more color (6:36)
-
StartHelen uses her favorite ink pen to fill in the lighter areas (3:40)
-
StartAdding collage elements to the prints (9:18)
-
StartEmbellishing with colored pencils (6:52)
-
StartWrap up and thank you!! (0:30)