Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Why gelatin print on Fabric?

monotype print / Linda Germain / September 16, 2020

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

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 »

Video of Gelatin Printing on fabric

monotype print / Linda Germain / September 10, 2020

I am getting ready to teach the online printmaking class, Monoprinting on Fabric. Each time I teach this process, I learn new ways of getting new types of impression.

Enjoy this short video of some sample prints.

Check out the current online printmaking classes.

Hope to see you in class.

Video of Gelatin Printing on fabric Read More »

Gelatin Printing on Fabric

fabric prints / Linda Germain / September 2, 2020

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

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

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.

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

10 techniqiues
6 lessons over 2 weeks
6 months classroom access and
download videos for lifetime access
$97.
READ all the details on the workshop page.

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Making Gelatin Plates in time of shortages

gelatin plate care / Linda Germain / August 24, 2020

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 »

Share some art

monotype print / Linda Germain / August 19, 2020

This may take a little planning and determination. But I suggest you let some loved ones know you are thinking of them by sending them a hand printed card.

If you are a gelatin printmaker, then I am sure that you have pile of prints that could be cut and cropped into a few cards.

Things you will need:

addresses for your family and friends
envelopes
stamps
pile of prints
scissors
glue

I often like to make a viewfinder to help me crop my prints into a pleasing design. It is easy to make a viewfinder. Cut a hole in a manilla file folder the size you want to cut your print down to.