Embrace your mistakes

Mistakes can be frustrating if you are working hard and put a lot of time and energy into a print. But I try to make art in a way that mistakes are not so painful. I try to see mistakes as a normal and necessary part of gelatin printmaking.

abstract gelatin plate monotype print

Things I do to embrace my mistakes:

  • I use paper that is not too expensive or precious
  • Adjust my expectations, I am satisfied if 2 out of 10 prints are awesome.
  • Recycle and repurpose those less than perfect prints. (this can create a rich printing surface that hopefully draws the viewer in.)
  • Try to identify what is not working and adapt my approach next time
  • Notice what I do like and carry it into future prints

gelatin plate monoprint

How do you feel about mistakes? Are they a friend or foe?

If you have a pile of “mistakes” and would like to rework them, check out the Gelatin Print Project part 2.  You can join us in part 2 if you did not take part 1 as long as you have some experience working with stencils and stamping tools on the gelatin plate. Or you can still take part 1 as well.