masking stencils

3 stencil cutting tips for gelatin printmaking

2010, gelatin plate tips, masking stencils / /
©2012 linda germain – cutting masking stencils for more gelatin prints

I would rather be playing with ink and mark making tools than cutting stencils but I have to do it to create some new imagery.  These are a few more of my Ellsworth Kelly inspired line drawings.  

I cut the paper first and then coat with mat medium.  The paper is easier to cut that way, but it is more challenging to coat the stencils with mat medium.  They want to curl and stick to the table.

Also the mat medium really saturates the edged this way too. The helpful ideas are:

  1. Use a fresh sharp blade.   This is not the place to be frugal.
  2. When cutting along a line turn the paper instead of turning the knife.  This will give you a smoother cut.
  3. Cut the tiny details first.  The stability of the rest of the paper will make it easier to cut these details.

Oh..  Remember to breathe.  I use wax paper and coat both sides of the masking stencil several times so that it becomes very strong.

We make stencils as part of the Make Monotypes, online class.  Join the list to hear about the next session.

Post by Linda Germain

 

3 stencil cutting tips for gelatin printmaking Read More »

Cutting a Masking stencil for Gelatin Prints

2010, gelatin print tips, masking stencils / /
©2012 linda germain  – Preparing a stencil for gelatin printing

Last month I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and  was inspired by Ellsworth Kelly‘s plant drawings.  The line is simple, confident and expressive.  Hmmmmm!  So I said I was going to do a line drawing a day.  Well I made it for about 7 days.  I hung them up and did enjoy them.  Today I decided to photocopy one and make a stencil for gelatin printmaking.  I am applying a few coats of mat meduim so that it will with stand the wear and tear of gelatin printing.

Post by Linda Germain

 

Cutting a Masking stencil for Gelatin Prints Read More »

How to use a Photo reference for Gelatin Printing

2010, gelatin print tips, masking stencils / /
©linda germain 2012 – gelatin monotype with stencil from photo reference

Prompted by a question from a student, I have been experimenting with ways to use photos in gelatin printing.  I the image above you can see the photo of my brother fishing on the pier.  Just below that you can see the paper masking stencil that I cut and to the left a few of the gelatin prints that I made.

I am having fun with this!  I used the registration method that I talked about yesterday.  As you can see on the far right of the image above  place a mat on the gelatin plate to create clean edges.  Then line your paper up with the mat.

Happy Printing.

 

How to use a Photo reference for Gelatin Printing Read More »

Masking Stencils from Photos for Gelatin Printing

2010, gelatin print tips, masking stencils, stencils / /
Cutting masking stencils for gelatin printmaking
cutting masking stencils for gelatin monotype printing

Here are a couple of gelatin plate monotype prints that I made with the masking stencils that I cut yesterday.

The little guys are from a photo that I took.  As you can tell expressive body language and strong negative spaces make for interesting stencils.  Think of  the fantastic iPod ads from a few years back.  Happy Printing!

Join me for the next session of Make Monotypes

 

Masking Stencils from Photos for Gelatin Printing Read More »