Making gelatin monotype prints

monotype print / /

Today, I cleaned up my work space a little and then gathered a few tools and pulled some gelatin prints. I was thinking about a couple of design concepts.

delicate gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

  1. Keep it simple
  2. Layer light over dark
  3. let a focus evolve

I hope you can find time to play with printmaking. Give yourself some limits of boundaries and see if the challenge creates new discoveries.

mountains scape by linda germain

For this mountain scape I used torn paper stencils and the delicate grasses as a stencil for the foreground focus.

I hope I have inspired you to:

  • Gather a few stencils
  • Make a pile of prints and
  • Keep it simple

Magic will happen!

Need the Free recipe to make the long lasting Gelatin and glycerin plate? Get it here.

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Make books-holiday gifts

artist book / /

One simple way to use some of your gelatin prints as gifts is to make small notebooks. These can be very easy to make and super fun to give as a gift.

pamphlet stitch books by linda germain

How to make small books – pamphlet stitch

  1. Decide on a size. Size might be determined by the paper that you have available or the prints that you want to work with, or maybe the intended use.
  2. Fold sheets in half. Crease with bone folder if desired.
  3. Find 2 prints and cut the same size as your pages.
  4. Place prints back to back and fold (this is the cover)
  5. Make a sewing template – 3 evenly space holessewing template for pamphlet stitch book
  6. Pierce all folded pages – mark top, keep in order
  7. Wax some embroidery thread by dragging it across bees wax candle several times. Or use already waxed thread.wax thread for book binding
  8. Sew booklet together and tie knot in center.Tie knot on either side of thread
  9. Trim staggered edge with new fresh, sharp utility knife and several passes. This take patience and practice.trim book pages with sharp knife
  10. Sign, date and gift!!

Here’s a quick video summarizing the steps to make a pamphlet stitch book.

I hope you enjoy making some books for yourself and your friends.

If you are looking to use up some more of your prints in creative book making ways, then check out the Mixed Media Printmaker’s Retreat. It is an online class designed to support you in your art making habits.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Making books and rusting paper

artist book / /

I dug through some of my prints from this year and started making a mixed media book.

artist books by linda germain

I like to work in a kind of layered spiral.

  • I lay down a based coat
  • Add some textured color
  • Then some hand drawn marks
  • A bit of collage
  • More paint and around and around until it feels done

This book used two kids books as a the base for the pages.

use board books to make artist books

And then I used a multi needle coptic stitch to put them together.

multi needle coptic stitch binding

It took me a while to remember that stitch pattern. I am not sure it is truly correct, but it is working nicely to hold the boards together.

write on tea bags and use them for collage

I love to add upside down text to the book. So I write on tea bags and glue them in upside down. I get to put my emotion into the piece and still keep it a secret.

rusting paper

Over the last few days I pulled out my box of rusty things, spritzed with with vinegar and water and set them on some paper. I am getting mixed results. It is a surprise each day when I uncover the stack.

rusted paper

Find time to play in your studio!!!

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Be open to the element of surprise

monotype print / /

I just came back from a short walk away from my studio. It has been a gray and overcast day, and my printing was labored. I needed a break.

sky haverhill ma

I was lifted up by the puffy golden clouds that filled the sky just as the sun was setting. Glad I took a walk.

It reminded me to be open to the gift of surprise and serendipity.

abstract landscape gelatin prints

This openness to experimentation is essential to gelatin printmaking. It is a true monotype process. Everything changes with each impression.

abstract mountain scape

This can be really fun, unless you are stuck on recreating some kind of print or mark. So I advise to approach gelatin printmaking with a sense of adventure and discovery.

That is when the magic happens for me. My current exploration into Monochromatic Mountains uses masking stencils in a systematic way. That creates layered value changes.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

Be open to the element of surprise Read More »

Back to basics

monotype print / /

Sometimes I like to simplify my printing and get back to the basics.

mountain scape Linda germain

I like to:

  • simplify my color scheme
  • think about division of space – unequal and dynamic
  • create a strong range of value from light to dark

You would think by this time all that would come naturally. But no. I often find myself dividing my print right in half or needing some really dark marks.

gelatin print by linda germain

If you would like to cycle through some the basic of design skills, then join us in Monochromatic Mountains, an online printmaking workshop the next time it is offered.

In this class we will:

  • Use the gelatin plate and water based inks
  • Mask and shape the design with torn stencils
  • Limit the color scheme
  • Focus on the dynamic division of space

To create some compelling mountain scapes.

gelatin printmaking prints in progress

These might be a perfect creative treat for your self in this holiday season. You may even create some lovely prints to frame as gifts.

landscape print by linda germain

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