Change of Seasons – Printmaking inspiration

monotype print / /

With every new season, I get new ideas and inspiration. I am lucky to live in New England and we have such spectacular colors in the fall.

Autumn tree inspires

I observe the changes almost daily on my morning walks. The woods and the foliage changes slowly and steadily.

fall colors inspire printmaking

This means that the plants and weeds, that I use as masking stencils for gelatin printmaking are not always available. I have learned over time:

  • Late summer ferns are strong and good for perserving
  • Brilliant autumn leaves are inspiring color patterns
  • Winter offers hardy dried weeds that can be good for rubbings
  • All seasons offer some kind of sturdy weed, if I look hard enough.

strong ferns good masking stencils

This means that I enter the woods or the street with an eye for the qualities that make a botanical good for printmaking. I look for:

  • Plants that are sturdy
  • Plants that are flat but interesting line
  • Plants that have interesting textures

use glycerin as retarder

I encourage you to give yourself the gift of a walk with awareness of the weeds at your feet. They may inspired your next series of prints.

gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

Happy Printing!

Change of Seasons – Printmaking inspiration Read More »

Why gelatin print on Fabric?

monotype print / /

Gelatin printmaking is a spontaneous experimental process. You can use the gelatin plate to print on paper or fabric.

gelatin prints on fabric

It is a very direct hands on approach. The feedback and impressions that you make is quite immediate. And the process does not require a lot of planning.

The tools are simple, low tech and non-toxic.

workspace for printing on fabric

When printing on fabric you can,

  • make unique one of a kind cloth for projects
  • transform old sheets into quilting materials
  • use found tools to make patterns and
  • use cut or found stencils to make personal designs

I use the glycerin, gelatin and water plate, and screen printing ink when I am printing on fabric. My approach is a little bit different, than when I am printing on paper.

These factors need to be considered:

  • the texture of the fabric
  • the speed at which the ink dries
  • moisture of the plate and fabric

I make adjustments and work more quickly to adapt to those conditions. The types of marks that are possible are similar but not exactly the same.

Check out current online workshops.

Why gelatin print on Fabric? Read More »

Gelatin Printing on Fabric

fabric prints / /

I am getting ready for a new session of Monoprinting Fabric with the gelatin plate.

hand printed fabric

Printing on fabric with the gelatin plate is very experimental. It is always a surprise to see what kind of marks I can get.

delicate print on fabric

I use the same tools as I use when I gelatin print on paper,

  • Stencils both found and cut
  • Stamping tools to manipulate the ink

I use acrylic screen print ink and inexpensive cotton fabric. Read more about my ink experiments here.

I like to work with small squares of fabric gathering all the different kinds of marks that stem from this process.

many different kinds of marks gelatin printing on fabric

I would love for you to join this online printmaking class.

Gelatin Printing on Fabric Read More »

Making Gelatin Plates in time of shortages

gelatin plate care / /

I have been thinking of my readers and about the challenge it has been to find gelatin and glycerin these days. I always try to put myself in your shoes when it comes to exploring this art form.

fresh gelatin plate for printing

Even in good times it was a challenge to find glycerin. These days you have to get it online and be very aware of how much you are getting and the cost. Some of the choices are very costly.

supplies to make the gelatin and glycerin plate

So I thought, let’s go back to the plate that requires just gelatin and water. And to my surprise there was no plain unflavored gelatin to be found at the local grocery stores.

pour the gelatin plate

So I carefully searched  online and found some reasonably priced. Again be careful, check prices and sizes.

use wide hands to carry the gelatin plate

I made a couple of plain gelatin and water plates.

The things I learned:

  • My 12 year old gelatin might be less effective 🙂
  • Make a small plate first to check the water/gelatin ratio
  • 1 oz gelatin to 8 fluid oz seems to be a good ratio
  • Microwave to dissolve lumps
  • Pour through cheesecloth to catch foam
  • If using high sided pan, put in refrigerator to harden
  • Store in refrigerator in plastic bag

gelatin and water printing plate

This is a small gelatin and water plate that I made a few weeks ago. The edges are drying up and getting hard.

The difference between the gelatin and water only plate and the glycerin, gelatin and water plate is:

  • Gelatin & water only plate needs to be refrigerated
  • Gelatin & water only plate can be more fragile
  • Gelatin & water only plate lasts about a month
  • Gelatin & water only plate is cheaper to make
  • Gelatin & water only plate can be moist or watery when you first take it out.
  • Tips on making a small gelatin and water plate – here

The big reason I used to make the gelatin and water only plate was because it was very inexpensive, less than $10. That may not be the case right now.

Depending on your goals and the types of impressions that you like to make one of the commercially produced mineral oil based gel plates may be another choice for you right now.

If you need the recipe for making the Glycerin, gelatin and water plate, get them here. The recipe that includes glycerin is very durable and long lasting.

Making Gelatin Plates in time of shortages Read More »