Homemade gum stamps

This post follows on the wet-on-wet technique which is a load of blending playfulness.  Once those papers are completely dry (the next day) stamping and drawing can be added to make artful pieces.

This design was made with a stamp made from an eraser using an Xacto knife.

Stamps are instantly gratifying.  Adults can make your own stamps for an artistic and unique design.  Children can help with the designs by drawing ideas using simple lines that can be turned into a stamp.  I used gum erasers and an Xacto knife to carve out stamps that have last for years both in the classroom and in my studio.  

The above  design is made more interesting by alternating the direction of each stamp.

Deciding on a design

Make your own symbol or borrow one from an honored culture.  I like to keep designs simple because then I can make it more interesting depending on how I use the stamp.  Alternating patterns, stamps and colors are a few ways to play.  

home made stamps are simply creative

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Black ink or watercolor on a bright background makes a graphic statement!

It's easy to spot a machine made print, but everyone loves the imperfections of the hand-of-the-artist.  We can all relate to things that carry the mark of the real person within it.  

Make a stamp to invent your own personal shapes you respond to,  Are you a curvy or circular type of person or are you drawn to the straight edge?  Take a look at a doodle and use part of one line of that for a stamp.  Whatever you feel inspired to do, enjoy the fun of making it yours.  And make an extra one as a unique gift for a friend.