Today, I did begin printing with a bit of of plan.  I started with my light colors and made some textured backgrounds that still had some white in them.  I worked up 5 or 6 sheets of paper and then went to my focus figure.  I used the dark blue but
still only worked part of the plate.

I did not leave marks on the plate.  If there was a very light impression left then I picked it up with a clean sheet of paper.  Often this light layers, or partial pick ups create an interesting print.

I used the createx monotype colors today.  They are the consistency of acrylic paint.  They are easy to apply with a brush.   I decided to be loose and just have fun with it.

I sometimes wonder why people do painted monotypes.  I like the secondary ghost prints.  I like how I can use the left over ink to continue to work the image.  I like the way the brush mark is captured in the impression.

Have you played with the painted monotype?

We will introduce this process in the next session of Make Monotypes. Check out the details here.

Today I used the createx monotype inks on the glycerin plate and just experimented with brushes and brush marks.  I like to approach learning with a sense of exploration.  I like to

• see what happens,
• see what is possible,
• see what I like,
• see what the tools do.

This way I can learn to use the right brush for the intended mark. I tried wide brushes, narrow brushes, soft brushes and bristle brushes. I added the strong black line after the print was pulled.

Check out current printmaking workshops.

Sometimes it is scary to just make the next mark on a print that you really care about. I try not to get attached to a piece. But it is hard to be willing to ruin it or give it that one little mark that is going to make it pop.

Here are some tips to confident mark making with gelatin printing.  I do this minimize the risk and be willing to make the next mark:

• I have several prints going at once so I am more willing to take chances
• I wait a day or two to see if I gain any clarity and
• In the end, it is just a piece of paper. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

What do you do to support yourself in taking risks?

Why does that matter?   I used to freeze the gelatin and water printing plate, if I was not going to use it for several weeks.  Freezing slows down the aging process and allow me to use the same printing plate for several months.

For about a year, I have been using the glycerin, gelatin and water printing plate for making monotypes.

It is ok to Freeze the gelatin and glycerin plate

This type of plate is

• strong and flexible
• extremely durable
• does not have to be refrigerated
• lasts a very long time
• can be reconstituted

So last weekend I cut up a glycerin, gelatin and water plate and dropped it in the freezer.  A few days later I pulled it out of the freezer to find that it was cold but not frozen.  I think it was cold enough to stop the plate from aging, so in the end it does not really matter.  But if you are a teacher or you just have a lot of glycerin and gelatin print plates  and you do not plan to print for several weeks, I think you can still cut them up and store them in the freezer.

If all this sounds like jibber-jabber, then watch this video and you will get a feel for making monotypes on the glycerin and gelatin printing plate.

Join a Printmaking Class

Would you like to explore gelatin printing with the homemade gelatin and glycerin plate in Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class. Check the workshop schedule and sign up.

This is what one student expressed about Make Monotypes, printmaking class:

“Now, I have the confidence to try different printing techniques and to even cut up the gelatin plate to get interesting shapes.” says Lynne P.