gelatin prints on fabric Archives - Page 2 of 3

Check out some Monoprints on Fabric

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / Linda Germain / December 15, 2014

6" x 6" gelatin monotype print on fabric with screen printing — 6″ x 6″ monoprint on fabric with screen printing

If you look closely you can see the texture of the fabric in this little print. It is an experiment in using acrylic paint. The paint dries very fast and that makes it hard to plan and to get a strong transfer of color. I topped this one off with some thermofax screen printing.

Monoprint on fabric with the gel plate by inda germain — Monotype print on fabric with the gelatin plate – linda germain

I like to work on piece of the print at different times. This “saves some whites” or lights. Often when layer and masking the monotype print can get dark or muddy after just a few layers. Don’t you just love the “bubble” on the left side. It is one of my favorite tools – a floor mop sponge.

Used a sponge to lift off and apply ink to the gelatin plate in this monoprint — Used stamping tools to lift off and apply ink to the gelatin plate.

I love the delicate marks that are possible when printing with the gelatin plate and ink. These prints were all made without a press and with mere hand pressure.

Gelatin plate monotype print on fabric - with a bubble wrap dress stencil — Gelatin monotype print on fabric – with a bubble wrap dress stencil

I have had these dress stencils for years. I cut paper doll style dresses from paper, plastic, wire mesh and bubble wrap. The texture of the stencil is captured in what I refer to as the detailed impression. It is generally the impression that is created by the ink that lies under the masking stencils.

Monoprint on cotton fabric with ink and the glycerin and gel plate — Monoprint on cotton fabric with ink and the glycerin and gelatin plate

I have been doing what I call palette prints. They are clean up prints at the end of a session. I just have fun with the left over ink. The background in this monoprint is a palette print.

Hand cut floral stencils used mask and transfer ink to create this gel monotype print — Floral stencils used to create this gel monotype print

Lots going on in this simple print on fabric. I call the white shapes = shaped impressions. These are the shapes created by masking stencils. There are some brayer marks on the right edge and a detailed impression in the top left corner.

Gelatin Monotype on wet fabric with a blade of grass as a stencil — Monotype on damp fabric with a piece of grass as a stencil

This is just a snapshot of a larger print. Of course it was my last print of the day and then therefore my favorite. I must be more experimental or loose when I am just trying to use up my ink. And the prints that come from that attitude are usually fresh, exciting and my favorite.

Fabric Monotype print on the glycerin and gelatin plate with a weed as a masking stencil — Monotype print on the gelatin plate with grass as a masking stencil

I hope you have enjoyed these few gelatin plate monotype prints on fabric. If you would like to make prints on fabric with a group of international artist, then sign up for Monoprinting on Fabric. It is a 4 week online printmaking course with Linda Germain. Check out the details and sign up today.

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Adding hand work to gelatin prints on fabric

gelatin prints on fabric / Linda Germain / December 4, 2014

Yellow dye pastels added to gelatin plate print on fabric - Linda Germain — Yellow dye pastels added to gelatin plate print on fabric

I tried out some pastel dye sticks to add color to a monochromatic gelatin print. They seem a little “waxy” so I think I will use them as a last layer, too add a bit of accent color.

They can be heat set with an iron according to the manufacturers instructions.

Sometimes with gelatin printing it is a challenge to fill in a delicate white space with another printing method. That is when hand work and mixed media techniques can help.

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking on fabric, with a great group of international artists, then sign up today for the online printmaking course, Monoprinting on Fabric. Read the details here.

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Monoprinting with BIG leaves

gelatin prints on fabric / Linda Germain / November 14, 2014

Gelatin Monotypes on fabric with organic ferns and leaves - Linda Germain — Gelatin Monoprints on fabric with natural ferns and leaves.

I am loving the glycerin and water bath to preserve ferns and leaves. I have realized that it is best to have mature but fresh vegetation.

I tried using a few leaves that I found on the ground and they were too far gone. The ends curled and the leaf turned hard in spots. Flexible and strong is what I like for printing on the gelatin and glycerin plate.

I am curious how long this huge leaf will last. I have had it on the workbench for 10 days now. That is much longer than if I had just pressed it in a book.

I am still pleased with how the Versatex screen printing inks are rolling up and printing on the gelatin plate.

If you would like to explore gelatin printing on fabric check out the online Monoprinting Fabric – self study.

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Make a Prayer flag w/ Gelatin Prints

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / Linda Germain / January 20, 2013

A couple of weekends ago a few fabulous fiber gals from the lowell fiber studio came over to my workshop for a day of gelatin printing on fabric. Then they kindly invited me to a fiber feast at their studio, a delicious pot luck, good discussion and sharing of work.

This challenged me to do something with my gelatin prints on fabric.

I did a little research about prayer flags and want to keep it simple and retain some of the traditional symbolism. To make the flags –

Found prints in the 5 colors, blue, white, red, green and yellow
Did a little touch up printing with and old gelatin plate to get the colors stronger
Cut the 5 flags all the same size
I wrote some stream of consciousness “prayers” about the 5 elements, sky, air, fire, water and earth, on the surface of the flags.
Machine sewing to reflect the energy of the element
Topped them all off with the dragon fly thermofax screen print
Strung them on a cord
Hung them in front of my window to enjoy

I read that a sunny windy morning is the best time to hang a prayer flag. And that is just what I got today! I can’t wait to watch the flags slowly deteriorate and the prayers go into the wind.

See more about the Lowell Fiber Studio

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New Paints to Gelatin Print with on Fabric

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / Linda Germain / August 25, 2012

Again Catherine Worthington, textile artist from Maine introduced me to the pro-chem. textile paints. I just got a sample set of the opaque and the transparent paints. I am excited to try them out with cotton fabric and a gelatin plate. I will share some images soon. Happy printing!

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