Ten Tools – Gelatin Monotypes on fabric

stamping tools / /
stamping Tools for monotype printing on fabric with ink on the gel plate
Ten Tools for monotype printing on fabric with ink on the gelatin and glycerin plate

I have been exploring the process of monoprinting on fabric with the gelatin plate. I am finding that I like tools with:

  • Raised patterns
  • Organic shapes
  • Circles and ovals
  • Easily hand held
  • Always “found”

I use these tools to apply ink to the fabric or plate and to lift off ink from the plate. The picture shows:

  1. Carved wooden block
  2. Corrugated cardboard
  3. Yellow spool
  4. Dress makers pattern tool
  5. Handmade string relief block
  6. Chunk of weathered wood with great grain
  7. Big Sponge mop
  8. Back side of floor sample
  9. White lid to a plastic container
  10. Rectangular piece of patterned styrofoam

Bonus  – Round, white, paper plate liner with cool patterns

What are your favorite found stamping and mark making tools?

Join us for the next session of Make Monotypes – Printing with ink on fabric and the gelatin plate 

Early Bird Registration is open now. Check out the details and join us today. Space is limited, so don’t wait too long.

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Monoprinting with BIG leaves

gelatin prints on fabric / /
Gelatin Monotypes on fabric with organic ferns and leaves - Linda Germain
Gelatin Monoprints on fabric with natural ferns and leaves.

I am loving the glycerin and water bath to preserve ferns and leaves. I have realized that it is best to have mature but fresh vegetation.

I tried using a few leaves that I found on the ground and they were too far gone. The ends curled and the leaf turned hard in spots. Flexible and strong is what I like for printing on the gelatin and glycerin plate.

I am curious how long this huge leaf will last. I have had it on the workbench for 10 days now. That is much longer than if I had just pressed it in a book.

I am still pleased with how the Versatex screen printing inks are rolling up and printing on the gelatin plate.

If you would like to explore gelatin printing on fabric check out the online Monoprinting Fabric – self study.

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Why use a baren to make prints by hand?

tools / /
a baren for printmaking without a press - linda germain
Underside of a Speedball baren for printmaking

What is a baren and why would you want to use one to make gelatin plate prints?

I baren is a tool that is traditionally used in woodblock printing to apply even pressure to the block and create a crisp even transfer of ink. Gelatin plate is much softer than a carved woodblock, so we will not be putting the full force of our bodies into burnishing.

The reason I sometimes use a baren on the glycerin and gelatin plate is I want to apply a more downward even pressure. I hope with this even downward pressure I can create a more crisp, clear detailed impression.

Have you noticed that when you push on the gelatin plate it depressed and responds to your touch? Of course you have. That is what makes the gel plate so amazing.

Each time you depress the plate you affect the image/impression. The more things move the more fuzzy the print may become.

I have a speedball contemporary style baren, but I have experimented with other objects to see if they could be used in place of a really baren. I have tried:

  • flat bottom jars
  • flat bottom paint bottles
  • old porcelain door knob

Some say a wooden spoon will work. I always found them to be too small.

I made a homemade baren too. You can see from the pictures.

a handmade baren for printmaking without a press - Linda Germain
a homemade baren for printing without a press – Linda Germain
  1. Cut a circle of stiff foam core
  2. Cover the foam core with 2 sided carpet tape
  3. Tightly coil clothesline rope on top of the tape
  4. Craft a cover. I used an old tube sock, put the base about 1/2 way through, stretch tight and tie the ends together to create a handle
  5. Finally, I added a sticky vinyl to the bottom, so it would slide more smoothly.

MacClain’s has some great info and history about barens.

Join us in the next session of Make Monotypes. You will have lots of time to explore using a baren.

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Are you a Brave printmaker?

inspiration / /
Could fearless experimentation in your artmaking lead to extraordinary results?
Could fearless experimentation in your printmaking lead to extraordinary results?

Fearless experimentation can lead to extraordinary results.

That is a motto I try to live by. What do you think? Is it a way of thinking that would inspire you to take action around the things that you are passionate about?

They say success is based on lots of failures. So why am I so afraid to fail, make mistakes and look bad?

Hmmmm? There are areas of my life where it is easier for me to “fail”.  Printmaking is one of those areas. I am willing to take risks and make mistakes.

I think this willingness to experiment in my printmaking has lead to some pretty fantastic results.

If you would like some support in becoming a fearless printmaker, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes – the Focus on Fiber edition. We will be working with ink, fabric and the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate.

Early Bird Registration opens Nov 14th and class starts Jan. 12th.

Join the special interest list below.

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Printing Projects for the Fabric Printmaking Course

monotype print / /
4 Week online course Printing on Fabric with - Linda Germain
Planning the details for Printing on Fabric Class – Linda Germain

I am pleased to share that everything is falling into place for the upcoming Fabric Printing Class – Make Monotypes – Focus on Fiber. 

The more I explore this process the more excited I get. I love to think of new ways to make marks with unexpected tools.

Working with fabric is much different than paper for me. Basic principles and tools carry over, but there are new challenges and new types of marks to take advantage of.

I have set the dates for the Online Printmaking Workshop, class will start January 12th and run for 4 weeks.

Early Bird Registration will open Friday, November 14th at 8:00 AM EST.  So mark your calendars and plan for some printmaking fun this January.

Here is the schedule:

Week 1 – Let’s Get Printing – optimize your workspace, make the gelatin printing plates, find some super simple tools and begin to make the most of your inks and marks

Week 2 – Mask and Transfer delicate marks – choose and preserve natural materials, cut and use stencils to block and transfer ink as desired to create those amazing details that are only possible with this gelatin printmaking process

Week 3 – Make the most of your brayer, identify and create stamping tools that will print best on fabric, transform a small printing plate and create a large printed cloth

Week 4 – Play with painted and brayered abstracts, create textured backgrounds, explore alternative plate use and what to do with less than perfect prints. Identify your strengths and preferences and embrace your new printmaking skills.

Tell me what would you do with all your monoprinted fabric? Would you make quilts, wall hangings, mixed media art, embellish other fibers with it?

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