If you want to make the gelatin and glycerin plate for monotype printmaking, then you will need to find about 12 oz of glycerin.

It was always a little bit of a challenge to find it, but recently it has  become a little harder to find.

Here in the US you can find it:

• Big Walmart stores in the first aid section near the calamine lotion. (Some of the smaller stores have stopped carrying it)
• CVS, Walgreen and like pharmacies may have glycerin. I find these stores to be more expensive
• Hobby Lobby, Joan’s Fabric and A. C. Moore and similar craft stores sometimes have glycerin in the baking/wedding section

Of course you can find 100% glycerin online and there you may find the cheapest prices. You do not need a lot unless you plan to make a lot of printing plates.

So give yourself a little extra time to find glycerin. Often the sales clerks will not know if they have it or were to find it. You may need a little persistence.

I think the effort of making the glycerin and gelatin plate is worth it. I find that I like the way the homemade plate holds and transfers ink to make delicate textured impressions.

If you are interested in exploring gelatin printmaking using ink, paper and the homemade plate then join us for Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class.

Next Class starts Jan 7th, 2019.

 

I remember that some “dyes” as opposed to inks and paints can stain the homemade gelatin plate. It does not affect the subsequent prints but some sometimes it can be visually distracting.

Today I was using one of my Tyvek® stencils and noticed that it left a stain on the gelatin plate like a line drawing. I could not figure out why??

Then I realized that it was from the pen that I used to draw my image on to the Tyvek®. I am not sure if I used a Sharpie or a Crayola marker. But what ever it was, it must use a dye based pigment.

I now use the Crayola marker to do my drawing and then I wash it off before printing. And no more staining of the gelatin plate.

FYI – the very pinky magenta speedball water based block printing ink often stains the homemade gelatin printing plate. Again it will not affect your prints. It just may be distracting.

If you would like help exploring gelatin printmaking with the homemade plate, then check out the current printmaking classes being offered.