3 Micro steps I could take with Gelatin Prints

Gelatin plate print / /
© linda germain 2013  my new toy up close – Royal Typewriter

Can I break my goals down into steps that would take 5 minutes or less?  This idea came across my path from 2 different sources in the last fews days, so I am taking notice.  So three things that I can do with my gelatin prints in 5 minutes or less –

  1. Crop a gelatin print into a standard size for finishing and packaging for sale
  2. Take one print from my to be finished pile and do stream of consciousness writing
  3. Cut out a new masking stencil and coat it with mat medium on another day.
What could you do if you only had five minutes for you art?  Share is here if you would like

Post by Linda Germain

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What ink Best for Gelatin Printmaking?

gelatin print tips / /
Linda Germain compares inks for monotype printmaking
best inks for gelatin printing – test left to right, Akua Kolor, Speedball, and Daniel Smith water soluble block printing inks.

Some folks have asked me, “What is the best ink for gelatin printmaking?” There is no one correct answer to that question.  It really depends on:

  • your goals and the desired result
  • the paper like to use
  • the weather – hot, cold, humid?
  • how much time you have to let layers dry
  • if you have allergies
  • how much money you want to spend

Best Inks for Gelatin Printing – depends

I did a little experiment with the three inks that I have.  I used the same plate and stencils and compared the results.  It was cool in the studio about 65 degrees.  I did several prints on thin absorbent paper. Above are 3 prints with several layers of “detailed” impressions.
For this application I like the effect Daniel Smith ink on the right, but I am sensitive to the smell of the inks and they take a very long time to dry.
So my next choice it the Akua Kolor on the left, they still have a rich color, dry faster, but they are thin and sometimes don’t hold a stamped impression and they leave lots of ink on the plate.  I have just ordered some Akua Intaglio inks to try out.
For the application above the speedball inks are my least favorite, the one in the middle.  However, I do use these inks all the time.  They are inexpensive and readily available.  They work well for pre-inking stencils. They are super easy to clean up.
Some other options that I have not shown here are golden open acrylic, other acrylic paint, and createx monotype inks.
So to conclude, there is no single answer.  Plenty of experimentation and play will give you the best answer for you.  Happy Printing

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“Now, I have the confidence to try different printing techniques and to even cut up the gelatin plate to get interesting shapes.” says Lynne P.

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Why do something scary with your gelatin prints today?

gelatin print tips / /
© linda germain 2008 gelatin print with stitching holes

What could be scary about gelatin printing?

Generally nothing, but sometimes fear of ruining a piece or making a mistake creeps in to my head.

That is when I challenge myself to do something scary/brave/risky.

It could be:

  • sewing into the gelatin print
  • tearing the gelatin monotype into shapes
  • spritzing the gelatin plate print with alcohol
  • rolling over the print with a very dark layer of ink or a very light layer of ink
  • turning the print upside down or sideways to change the perspective
  • give yourself unlimited supply of paper and just keep printing without judgement

or

It could be so small that in the end you will wonder why you were scared.

Take a small step in the direction of you goals or desires and you build momentum.  That is why you could do something scary/brave today.

Hey if you do something brave/scary share it, if you dare. 🙂
Happy Printing,
Linda

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Make a Prayer flag w/ Gelatin Prints

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / /

 

© linda germain – pray flag from gelatin plate monotype prints

A couple of weekends ago a few fabulous fiber gals from the lowell fiber studio came over to my workshop for a day of gelatin printing on fabric.  Then  they kindly invited me to a fiber feast at their studio, a delicious pot luck, good discussion and sharing of work.

This challenged me to do something with my gelatin prints on fabric.

I did a little research about prayer flags and want to keep it simple and retain some of the traditional symbolism.  To make the flags –

  1. Found prints in the 5 colors, blue, white, red, green and yellow
  2. Did a little touch up printing with and old gelatin plate to get the colors stronger
  3. Cut the 5 flags all the same size
  4. I wrote some stream of consciousness “prayers” about the 5 elements, sky, air, fire, water and earth, on the surface of the flags.
  5. Machine sewing  to reflect the energy of the element
  6. Topped them all off with the dragon fly thermofax screen print
  7. Strung them on a cord
  8. Hung them in front of my window to enjoy
I read that a sunny windy morning is the best time to hang a prayer flag.  And that is just what I got today!  I can’t wait to watch the flags slowly deteriorate and the prayers go into the wind.
See more about the Lowell Fiber Studio

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Gelatin Printing on a large plate 16 x 20

2010, Uncategorized / /
© linda germain 2013 small, medium and “large” gelatin plate prints

It is hard to judge scale with online pictures so I laid out some prints of the size that I usually do on the right side, the ferns and the grasses. That way you can compare the 16 x 20 size of the prints with the figure.

Today I used the akua color inks.  I found that I could pull several images from just one inking of the plate.  That is nice because often the delicate light ghost images can create another level of interest in a gelatin monotype print.
Check out the flickr group and share some gelatin prints.
or if you prefer Facebook then like the gelatin printmaking page
and start a conversation.
If you are looking to take a class please check out my current schedule of gelatin printmaking classes.

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