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.

Today’s monotype print was another last minute printing session.  I just started making marks in the ink on the glycerin plate.  I had a stack of potential pieces.  As usual things did not evolve as I had expected, but then I got this print that I like.  I was also inspired by one of my students to sign prints that I call done.  All these prints are going to be 5″ x 7″

Registration for the summer session of Make Monotypes opened today.  You can take advantage of the early bird saving until Friday, May 16th.  Space is limited check out the details and register today.

I had a student in the last session of Make Monotypes, who explored the vegetarian option to gelatin.   She inspired me to experiment with the agar agar as well.  It is a seaweed based “gelatin.”  I can not report that I perfected the recipe or the plate.  I do have a printing plate of agar agar that has lasted several weeks.  I added some glycerin to make it stronger, but is still pretty fragile.

Today’s print is 5″ x 7″.  I used the speedball water soluble block printing inks and a few stencils and stamping tools.

Happy Printing,

Linda