Agar Agar in place of Gelatin for Printimaking?

2010, gelatin plate care, gelatin plate tips / /
© linda germain 2012 agar agar in place of gelatin for printing?

I have had some questions about whether it is possible to use the seaweed based, agar agar instead of  gelatin when making gelatin prints.  Well I tried it this past week end.  I had to guess on the ratio of water to flakes of agar agar.  The plate came out a bit stiff and brittle.  I was able to make some prints.  So I guess it is possible to use the agar agar.  It did not work as well as gelatin for me, but I could have the recipe wrong.  I used 1/2 the bag for 4 cups of water.

I reconstituted the plate and added more water.  I will let you know if it is any less brittle.  I think if you are familiar with cooking agar agar it helps a lot.  There is a great resource that compares the two here.

© linda germain 2012 a “gelatin” print made on the agar agar plate
 Agar is an alternative for those who do not use animal products. Though I do not use it I have had several students who have tried the agar plate. They have had mixed results. Some have chosen to use the commercially available Gelli plate from Gelli Arts.
So there are plenty of printing plate options. It will depend on the artist’s goals and priorities which plate is preferred.
I love the spongey nature of the glycerin and gelatin plate recipe. I like the way it holds and transfers ink.

 

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Moving the Gelatin Plate to the Refrigerator

2010, gelatin plate care, gelatin print tips / /
© linda germain 2012 Let the gelatin harden before moving it to the refrigerator

My niece told me that the first time she made the gelatin plate she tried to put it in the refrigerator right away, just after pouring it into the shallow plan.  ooooh  what a messy spill!   So I share her story so you don’t have a mess of gelatin to clean  up.  I let the gelatin harden on the counter top before I try to move it to the refrigerator.  If you make the plate in a container with higher sides then I imagine that it would be easy to put it into the refrigerator right away.

 

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Red Strong – a gelatin plate original print

2010, monotype print / /
© linda germain 2012 Red Strong – a gelatin print 6 x 8
One of a kind original monotype print by Linda Germain.  This image size  is 6″ x 8″ and the paper size is 8″ x 10″  Please note the frame is not included.
© linda germain 2012 Red Strong – a gelatin print 6 x 8 close up
This gelatin plate monotype was inspired by the power of kids.
The 8″ x10″ size is perfect for popping into a standard frame for quick and easy display.
© linda germain 2012 gelatin prints on the shelf ready for sale

To learn more about my gelatin printmaking process check out this video.

If you have questions please email me prior to purchase linda@lindagermain.com
Give this fun print a new home.  Choose your shipping location and follow the paypal instructions.Thanks,

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Horse in Tangles – a gelatin monotype

2010, Uncategorized / /
© linda germain 2012 Horse in tangles  6 x 6 – gelatin print

One of a kind original monotype print by Linda Germain.  This image size  is 6″ x 6″ and the paper size is 9″ x 9″  Please note the frame and mat are not included.

© linda germain 2012 Horse in tangles  6 x 6 – gelatin print Close up
This gelatin plate monotype was inspired by line drawing by Ellsworth Kelly at the Met.
The 10″ x10″ size is perfect for popping into a standard frame for quick and easy display.
© linda germain 2012 gelatin prints on the shelf ready for sale

To learn more about my gelatin printmaking process check out this video.

If you have questions please email me prior to purchase linda@lindagermain.com
Give this fun print a new home.  Choose your shipping location and follow the paypal instructions.

Thanks,

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