I realized that my natural printing method is to be inspired by found tools.Which takes the need to draw a matrix out of the equation.
I found this small rubber circle thing while on my daily walk and it inspired me to pick it up. It lifts of ink and applies ink to the gelatin plate perfectly. I that two different size circles that will work nicely together.
Autumn in New England there are plenty of leaves and grasses on the ground. I picked up one and gave it a “hair cut”. If the grass is too complex the shape impression ends up being a big white blob.
The other way that I usually work, is to pull many prints to get a couple that I like. I work out the composition as I go.
Today I pulled a stack of prints and then got my framing mats and cropped up a couple into pleasing compositions.
This is the shaped impression of the grasses and I used my found tool to lift off and then apply circle impressions to the plate.
This is the detailed impression of the grasses and I stamped a few more circle on to the plate with my round rubber circle tool.
This one I place the little pieces of grass back on to the detailed impression to “save” some white marks and increase the range of value. And I was playing with random design rather than a balance one.
If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking through the self study printmaking workshop, then check out he details of the online printmaking class on the information page