What is a Newsprint Pick up in Gelatin Printing?

2010, gelatin print tips / /

I use the term newsprint pick up a lot when I talk about gelatin printmaking.  So I thought I would explain what I mean.  I simply place newsprint over the gelatin to pick up unwanted ink.  I don’t rub the newsprint.  I just lay it down flat and burnish with my hand.  I do this over and over again with clean newsprint to pick up unwanted ink. In the example above I am placing the newsprint over the spider like stencil.  So I will end up picking up the ink around the stencil  as shown in the image below.

Notice that there is no ink left on the plate except for the red ink under the stencil.  Then I remove the stencil and will be left with the ghost image as shown below.

The ghost image can be very delicate and detailed depending on the type of stencil that you use.   It can also be unpredictable and frustrating if you have rigid expectations.  More gelatin printing tips.
I used “newsprint pick ups” on this print to print several ghosts on top of each other with out too much plate ink.
\How to make a gelatin Plate for printmaking – the video
Quick video on the basics of gelatin printmaking

Gelatin printing artist trading cards – a short video

48 second slideshow of gelatin prints by linda germain and why she loves it.

Gelatin Printmaking tips page

Post by Linda Germain

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Still Making Gelatin Prints in the New Year

2010, Uncategorized / /
Gelatin Print
7″ x 7″ Untitled
© Linda Germain
Well the New Year has arrived and I am back in the studio.  I am framing and finishing some work.  I must confess though it was nearly 60 degrees today and I went to the beach.  The family cottage suffered a little damage in the last storm and today was a great day to make repairs.  I strolled the shore line looking for rocks for my upcoming exhibit Lost and Found @ the Willow Community Gallery in Lynn.

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Shelia Hicks exhibit @ Addison Gallery of American Art

2010, Uncategorized / /



’round and ’round
14″ x 9″
gelatin print

 Today I visited the Shelia Hicks exhibit at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, MA.  The show spans 5 or 6 exhbit rooms and includes work from the 1950’s to present.  She included work from the very small to the very large. The twisted and woven work was inspiring.  I have been working with fabric lately but not putting it into a final expression.

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