gelatin plate tips

Antibacterial Wipes for your gel plate

2010, gelatin plate tips / /
© linda germain 2012 wipe down your gelatin plate
I have been experimenting with wiping down the gel plate with an antibacterial wipe before I put it away for the night.  I think it helps to slow down the aging process.

You may know that I LIKE it to age, see my prints made with moldy gelatin.  But now I can slow down the process that makes the fun holes in the gelatin.

Happy Printing.

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Make a small gelatin Plate for printing

2010, gelatin plate tips / /
just starting out? then make a small printing plate
Make the small Plate for printmaking

In the studio and waiting for the first snow of the season.

I had this idea to make a small gelatin plate and to see what is possible with just one box of gelatin.

What can a create with a small plate? How long will it last?  Will it create possibilities because of its limits?

I simply mixed one cup of water and one box of gelatin and then let it harden on the counter top.
Gelatin dissolves best in 1/2 cup cold water and then 1/2 cup add boiling water to finish.  This will minimize foam, lumps and bubbles.
If you have a lumpy mess, then you can very gently microwave the mixture. Stir and the gelatin should dissolve. Try not to microwave it too long, that will create lots of foam.
If you need more help check out my gelatin printmaking tips page.
Or the best way to explore making monotype prints with the gelatin plate is to get on the mailing list and join .

 

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Agar Agar in place of Gelatin for Printimaking?

2010, gelatin plate care, gelatin plate tips / /
© linda germain 2012 agar agar in place of gelatin for printing?

I have had some questions about whether it is possible to use the seaweed based, agar agar instead of  gelatin when making gelatin prints.  Well I tried it this past week end.  I had to guess on the ratio of water to flakes of agar agar.  The plate came out a bit stiff and brittle.  I was able to make some prints.  So I guess it is possible to use the agar agar.  It did not work as well as gelatin for me, but I could have the recipe wrong.  I used 1/2 the bag for 4 cups of water.

I reconstituted the plate and added more water.  I will let you know if it is any less brittle.  I think if you are familiar with cooking agar agar it helps a lot.  There is a great resource that compares the two here.

© linda germain 2012 a “gelatin” print made on the agar agar plate
 Agar is an alternative for those who do not use animal products. Though I do not use it I have had several students who have tried the agar plate. They have had mixed results. Some have chosen to use the commercially available Gelli plate from Gelli Arts.
So there are plenty of printing plate options. It will depend on the artist’s goals and priorities which plate is preferred.
I love the spongey nature of the glycerin and gelatin plate recipe. I like the way it holds and transfers ink.

 

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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

 

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Plastic wrap Liner for the gelatin Plate for Printing

2010, gelatin plate tips, video / /

It works.  I don’t know why I had my doubts but the plastic wrap is a nice liner and makes it easy to get the gelatin plate out of the pan.  I think you have to be careful to not let the liquid gelatin seep under the plastic.  And it does create wrinkles on one side of the plate, but those can be a fun texture to play with.
How to make a gelatin Plate for printmaking – the video

Quick video on the basics of gelatin printmaking

Gelatin printing artist trading cards – a short video

48 second slideshow of gelatin prints by linda germain and why she loves it.

Or Take the next gelatin printing workshop

Post by Linda Germain

 

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