Ann Rosenthal – Signs of Spring: Mixed Media Accordion Fold Book (Online)

In this session, Ann will demonstrate making a simple accordion-fold book to capture signs of spring through mixed media.

Date recorded: Friday, April 10, 2026

Supply List

If you enjoy this presentation or make work inspired by it, please leave a comment below.

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In this session, Ann will demonstrate making a simple accordion-fold book to capture signs of spring through mixed media. She will introduce drawing, gel print, and painting tools and techniques to convey the colors, lines, and textures emerging at this time of year. This is a playful approach that you can use for plein air sketching or in the studio.

If you enjoy this presentation or make work inspired by it, please leave a comment below.

About the Instructor:

As an artist, educator, and writer for over four decades, Ann Rosenthal has explored the intersections of nature and culture through a range of environmental issues. Much of this work has taken the form of collaborative art installations addressing such topics as nuclear war and waste, the carbon footprint of our food, and biodiversity. Over the last few years, Ann has returned to her creative roots in painting and printmaking, celebrating her love of color, gesture, and form in nature and art. She is particularly drawn to places where water and land meet—fragile ecosystems that we endanger through ignorance, desire, and greed. Ann’s recent creative and professional accomplishments include: Artist in Residence, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon (2018); Co-Curator for “Crafting Conversations: A Call and Response to Our Changing Climate,” Contemporary Craft BNY Mellon Gallery (2019); “Woman of Environmental Art” award from PennFuture (2020); and one of four editors for Ecoart in Action: Activities, Case Studies, and Provocations for Classrooms and Communities (New Village Press, 2022). Most recently, she was selected to design and execute two asphalt art murals with collaborator JoAnn Moran for Friendship Park in Pittsburgh (2022-23) that reflect the natural features of the park. Ann received her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University in 1999.

9 Responses

Cathy Cohen says:

April 16, 2026 at 8:18 am

Really enjoyed your presentation. I have done gel prints, and did a session at home. Fun. Can you please help me with transferring printed letters in charcoal? I drew the letters on newsprint, applied thin coat of gel medium and tried to print on paper. Didn’t work. is there a type of charcoal to use? Thanks, Cathy

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1. Ann Rosenthal says:
  
  April 23, 2026 at 1:33 pm
  
  Hi Cathy, sorry I didn’t see this until just now. I used vine charcoal. After doing your drawing or writing, just lay it face down on the gel plate and rub with your hand or baren—do not apply any gel medium! Once it is transferred to the plate, then apply the gel medium over the text. While wet, place your paper on top, apply pressure, and let dry a little before pulling the paper off. Hope that helps!
Ann Rosenthal says:

April 12, 2026 at 10:05 am

Hi all, Glad you enjoyed my demo! Here’s my supply list. I had to make it info a jpg so the links won’t be active, but I think you can copy and paste them into your web browser. It’s not too late to register for my mixed media class starting Thursday!!

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1. Carmela Rizzuto says:
  
  April 23, 2026 at 7:37 am
  
  Thanks for the list–I was able to download it. I’ll be watching the presentation later.
Lesley Tibbetts says:

April 11, 2026 at 2:16 pm

Magnificent presentation I love your artwork and I love your presentation of history you make everything enjoyable thank you, Lesley

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1. Ann Rosenthal says:
  
  April 12, 2026 at 10:05 am
  
  Thank so much Lesley!
Teresa Sengel says:

April 11, 2026 at 6:16 am

Thank you Ann, this was a great demonstration. Looking forward to receiving the list of supplies. I don’t see them posted yet.

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1. Ann Rosenthal says:
  
  April 12, 2026 at 10:06 am
  
  Thanks Teresa! Love your rooster!

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