Gelatin printmaking is versatile

Gelatin printmaking is a low tech and satisfying way of printing for folks who like to work fast and spontaneously.

Images can be quite abstract.

gelatin print collage - abstract landscape by linda germain

To almost photographic:

different paints and inks for gel printmaking by linda germain
What inks or paints do you use for gelatin printing?

If you want to expand and explore the process of gelatin printmaking with ink on paper, then join us in Make Monotypes.

Class starts soon. Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page.

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Pinterest inspired play – try it

Do you let yourself play each day?

It was Carl Jung who said, “The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.”

As artists we are always creating. I think incorporating some play into our practice feeds new life into our art.

Today I was prompted to play, based on a Pinterest image, by Michele Cooper.

She shares a video on how to make 6 stroke figures.

abstract quick watercolor people

I use Pinterest to share my gelatin plate monotype prints and to save inspiration and ideas.

check out my gelatin prints on pinterest

Click on the image and hop over to my collection of boards, gelatin prints and printmaking tools. Be careful! It is easy to lose track of time when you start browsing.

I challenge you to find one bit of inspiration and then take immediate action. PLAY!

If you would like to play with gelatin printmaking in the new year then join us in Make Monotypes, the online gelatin printmaking class.

This is a 4 week printmaking class the explores all the major skills to make beautiful gelatin plate monotype prints.

Read all the details on the workshop page and join us. Class starts Jan 7th, 2019.

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3 Tiny tweaks make a big impact

Sometimes a tiny mark can transform a bland print into a wow print.

transform monotype with pastels

This was a boring abstract landscape and I:

  • cropped it
  • added some textural marks
  • put in some dark black marks

And know I quite love it.

Here is another example:

Before –

abstract monotype landscape

After:

abstract landscape with pastels

I made:

  • the darks darker
  • and added tiny texture to balance the strong lines
  • and cropped to a more dynamic compostion

Another before:

abstract mountain scene

And after adding a few marks:

mixed media monotype by linda germain

I used:

  • pastels
  • charcoal
  • white paint
  • india ink

to finish these abstract landscapes into monotype prints that are pleasing to me.

I encourage you to look at your pile of prints and see if you could  crop and add a few marks to create a few wow prints that you love.

Check out the current workshops for more inspiration.

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Printing with stamping tools

One of the main mark making approaches to gelatin printmaking is using what I call “stamping” tools to manipulate the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate.

tiny gelatin print collage

In the thumbnail collage above I used:

  1. handmade relief stamp
  2. cut corrugated cardboard
  3. die cut thing
  4. plastic plate holder
  5. pattern tracing wheel
  6. threads
  7. jar opener
  8. plastic doily
  9. relief stamp made from rubber bands

Ten stamping tools for gelatin printing linda germain

So search your:

  • studio
  • kitchen
  • recycle bin
  • toy chest
  • sewing box

for new stamping tools to use for gelatin printmaking.

If you would like to study with me and other artists from around the world, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes.

It is a 4 week online gelatin printmaking class. We will explore all the tools and techniques for gel printing with ink on paper.

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50 quick monotype landscapes

abstract monotype landscape by linda germain

I am playing with a few tools:

  • gelatin and glycerin plate
  • speedball ink
  • brayers
  • bristle brushes
  • palette knife
  • old credit card
  • sponge mop head
  • index cards

Very quickly I printed about 50 monotype landscapes.


quick landscapes with the gelatin plate

It was a great exercise in composition and design.

printed abstract landscape

This one above is created with horizontal brayer marks.

abstract landscape printed with the gelatin plate

This one is brayer mark mountains and the sky was created with a wide bristle brush.

simplified monoprinted landscape

This one has some light underlying mountain marks. I used an old credit card to create the horizon lines and foreground marks.

If you would like to join us in class, check out the online printmaking classes being offered.

 

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