One way to use photographic images in gelatin printing

Find a photo with a figure that has interesting
negative spaces.

I have a play with gelatin printmaking day coming up on Saturday, July 28th and one of the participants asked about incorporating  photographic images into gelatin printing process. So she got me thinking.  I did photography long before I started gelatin printing and would like to see how I can combine the two. So right off the top of my head the first way I use photos is to make masking stencils.  These stencils always make for more personal prints when the image is your own.
Here some gel prints with this stencil.

Print it out the size that you want
Carefully cut out the shape with a very sharp knife
Little details can make a big difference
Coat both side of the masking stencil
with mat medium

8 thoughts on “One way to use photographic images in gelatin printing”

  1. Hi Linda-
    What a great solution!
    I’ve been enjoying your blog, which I’ve just discovered. Isn’t gelatin printing fantastic! I’ve been teaching it as a part of some of my surface design classes. It is always a surprise to me what students do. I’ve found that some prints that they create “read” like beautiful haiku. Looking forward to seeing where your curiosity leads you.–Julie B Booth

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  4. Hi Linda… love all your ideas…
    2 suggestions… I found using gloss medium instead of mat, cleans a little easier and less like to stick….plus I don’t like gloss in my art work… so its a good way to use up any I have around.

    When printing out photos, iI don’t want to use a lot of my printer ‘s ink, so I select the image, outline using:” edit/stroke”… then: ” fill/none”. This way I’m only printing a black outline of the image.
    Thanks again for all your inspiration.

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