monotype print

Butterfly stencil for this quick gelatin print.  I did this in 2 simple steps.

Tools for this Gelatin Print

• sponge mop head as stamping tool
• potato masher as a stamping tool
• Butterfly stencil
• white pen, or marker
• gelatin plate
• orange and magenta speedball ink
• brayer
• palette
• index card

Steps to Make the Monotype print

1. Roll orange ink on the plate
2. Mark into the orange ink with the sponge mop head
3. Print the orange layer onto the index card
4. Roll out the magenta ink
5. “Stamp” into the ink to with the potato masher to remove some magenta
6. Place the butterfly stencil on the magenta
7. Put the print paper on top and burnish
8. Then use the white pen, paint or marker to add the circles.

If you are just getting started with gelatin printing this is a good way to get started.  You use both of the main tools that I use in gelatin printmaking, masking stencils and stamping tools.

Another helpful hint to getting started is to watch my videos, make a plate and start experimenting.

Play with Printmaking is one of my guides for action.  I am lucky enough to work with kids during the summer and help them to play with printmaking too.  It amazes me how little time is devoted to play and self discovery.  Sometimes the kids are not used to free flowing creation.  they have standards to meet and matrices to complete.

Gelatin Printmaking with Kids

Some tips:

• Keep the steps simple
• Maybe just use stamping tools for a while
• Offer imagery that they can relate to
• test you inks, papers and supplies before hand to trouble shoot any problems
• Add in skills that they already use, like drawing, scribbling or direct stamping
• Set up the space ahead of time
• Know when to keep quite and let them play.

Today’s ICAD was inspired by my kids from Spain who played with gelatin printing yesterday.  I used:

• index card
• speedball inks
• colored pencils
• charcoal
• and a purchased animal stencil

Happy Printing.

Today I am making up several gelatin plates so that a group of kids can make prints tomorrow.  I am lucky to have a big level space and a refrigerator just for gelatin.  (well mostly for gelatin)  It can be tricky to get the pan level and be patient enough to let the gelatin harden before you put it in the refrigerator to firm up.  If you find those things too frustrating then give the gelli plate  by GelliArts a try.

Make Prints – Make a bunch!

I am also working on some printmaking and mixed media tutorials on what to do with the piles of prints that you make.  We have to share them with others rather than leave them stacked in a pile in our studios.  Don’t ya think?

My ICAD print for today is delicate and simple.

• Just two stencils and
• some hand stamping
• both the detailed impression that I get when gelatin printing

I used

• speedball inks
• regular 0’l gelatin plate
• a feather
• hand cut masking stencil coated with mat medium

Happy Printing!

Sometimes it helps to print quickly when making gel plate prints:

• it gets your inner critic to quiet down
• the inks don’t dry as fast
• you get into the flow of your own creativity

Gel Plate Prints

• used a feather
• made the shape print in blue in the left
• put the detailed impression of the feather on the right
• pre inked the dancer
• release the ink on to the gelatin plate
• printed the dancer on top

Happy Printing