Repeat but Vary – composition in Gelatin Printing

© linda germain  – gelatin print with twigs
Along with the idea to keep it simple, another compositional guide that I keep in the back of  my mind  is to repeat a shape and vary it slightly.  This is easy to go in gelatin printmaking because you can use the same masking stencil and just position it differently.  Or you could make stencils of a similar shape and the vary the size.

So as you are in the flow of gelatin printmaking, notice if or when you could repeat a pattern, shape, texture, mark or design.  Then ask your self whether it improved the composition or  not.

In this print –

  1. I kept it simple with just layering two colors
  2. I repeated the twig shape and varied the placement.
  3. I think it worked.
This is not something I consciously think about,  it is just in the back of mind.  If if things are not working out, then I might ask  – could it be simpler?  could I repeat a patter or shape.
If you would like to pick my brain for everything GELATIN PRINTING then be sure to join me for the first ever Gelatin Printmaking Monothon in Austin, TX on April, 5, 6, and 7.  Register early and save.

1 thought on “Repeat but Vary – composition in Gelatin Printing”

  1. Thank you for explaining that. When I look at your pieces I am always trying to figure out exactly how many layers are involved. This helps me a lot.

    Once again, thanks!

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