gelatin prints on fabric

Brown paper bag – stencils

I just discovered that bold stencils cut from brown paper bags are durable enough to use with the gelatin plate.

bold stencils for gelatin printmaking

It is quite relaxing to grab a pair of scissors and a paper bag and cut out shapes. Before you know it you will have a pile of new stencils.

masking stencils for gelatin printing

I managed to pick a couple and make some prints on fabric.

gelatin plate prints on fabric

I was surprised how durable the stencils were. I think that they will last for at least a couple of printing sessions.

monoprinted fabric by linda germain

If you would like to explore gelatin printing on fabric, then join us in the online class, Monoprinted Fabric. Class starts soon. Read all the details on the workshop page.

Brown paper bag – stencils Read More »

Go beyond your assumptions – printmaking tools

Today I found a twig in the snow at the end of my snowshoe though the woods. It stopped me and I picked it up with the hopes of using it as a stenciling tool for printmaking.

twig to use as a stencil for gelatin printmaking

It is much thicker than what I usually use for found object stencils when gelatin printmaking. But I gently flattened it the best I could.

5 by 7 gelatin plate for monotypes

I had a small 5″ x 7″ plate, so I randomly printed on a sack cloth yellow, orange and brown inks.

screen printing inks for gelatin printing on fabric

I tried using the twig in the traditional way, as a masking stencil. And it was ok, but I did not love the impression. So I tried using it as a “rubbing” tool. I place it under the fabric and gently rolled over the area of the fabric with an inked brayer. That approach worked pretty well.

hand printed sack cloth

So I learned that if something inspires me, then keep playing with the possibilities until it works. Keep on playing!

Go beyond your assumptions – printmaking tools Read More »

More Monoprinting on Fabric – Video

Just 12 days until Monoprinting on Fabric, the online printmaking course with ink, fabric and the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate. Enjoy a short video of monoprinted fabric.

Join us in the 4 week printmaking class. Check out the details and sign up at  Make Monotypes.com 

Monoprints on Fabric with stamping tools, stencils, ink and the glycerin and gelatin plate
Monoprints on Fabric with stamping tools, stencils, ink and the gelatin plate

Are you ready to join us in this online printmaking class? Class starts Jan 12th. Register today and start gathering your supplies.

More Monoprinting on Fabric – Video Read More »

Check out some Monoprints on Fabric

6" x 6" gelatin monotype print on fabric with screen printing
6″ x 6″ monoprint on fabric with screen printing

If you look closely you can see the texture of the fabric in this little print. It is an experiment in using acrylic paint. The paint dries very fast and that makes it hard to plan and to get a strong transfer of color. I topped this one off with some thermofax screen printing.

Monoprint on fabric with the gel plate by inda germain
Monotype print on fabric with the gelatin plate – linda germain

I like to work on piece of the print at different times. This “saves some whites” or lights. Often when layer and masking the monotype print can get dark or muddy after just a few layers. Don’t you just love the “bubble” on the left side. It is one of my favorite tools – a floor mop sponge.

Used a sponge to lift off and apply ink to the gelatin plate in this monoprint
Used stamping tools to lift off and apply ink to the gelatin plate.

I love the delicate marks that are possible when printing with the gelatin plate and ink. These prints were all made without a press and with mere hand pressure.

Gelatin plate monotype print on fabric - with a bubble wrap dress stencil
Gelatin monotype print on fabric – with a bubble wrap dress stencil

I have had these dress stencils for years. I cut paper doll style dresses from paper, plastic, wire mesh and bubble wrap. The texture of the stencil is captured in what I refer to as the detailed impression. It is generally the impression that is created  by the ink that lies under the masking stencils.

 

Monoprint on cotton fabric with ink and the glycerin and gel plate
Monoprint on cotton fabric with ink and the glycerin and gelatin plate

I have been doing what I call palette prints. They are clean up prints at the end of a session. I just have fun with the left over ink. The background in this monoprint is a palette print.

Hand cut floral stencils used mask and transfer ink to create this gel monotype print
Floral stencils used to create this gel monotype print

Lots going on in this simple print on fabric. I call the white shapes = shaped impressions. These are the shapes created by masking stencils. There are some brayer marks on the right edge and a detailed impression in the top left corner.

Gelatin Monotype on wet fabric with a blade of grass as a stencil
Monotype on damp fabric with a piece of grass as a stencil

This is just a snapshot of a larger print. Of course it was my last print of the day and then therefore my favorite. I must be more experimental or loose when I am just trying to use up my ink. And the prints that come from that attitude are usually fresh, exciting and my favorite.

 Fabric Monotype print on the glycerin and gelatin plate with a weed as a masking stencil
Monotype print on the gelatin plate with grass as a masking stencil

I hope you have enjoyed these few gelatin plate monotype prints on fabric. If you would like to make prints on fabric with a group of international artist, then sign up for Monoprinting on Fabric. It is a 4 week online printmaking course with Linda Germain. Check out the details and sign up today.

Check out some Monoprints on Fabric Read More »

Adding hand work to gelatin prints on fabric

Yellow dye pastels added to gelatin plate print on fabric - Linda Germain
Yellow dye pastels added to gelatin plate print on fabric

I tried out some pastel dye sticks to add color to a monochromatic gelatin print. They seem a little “waxy” so I think I will use them as a last layer, too add a bit of accent color.

They can be heat set with an iron according to the manufacturers instructions.

Sometimes with gelatin printing it is a challenge to fill in a delicate white space with another printing method. That is when hand work and mixed media techniques can help.

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking on fabric, with a great group of international artists, then sign up today for the online printmaking course, Monoprinting on Fabric. Read the details here.

Adding hand work to gelatin prints on fabric Read More »