gelatin prints on fabric

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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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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New Paints to Gelatin Print with on Fabric

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / /
©2012 Linda Germain Pro-Chemical textile paints for gelatin printing just arrived

Again Catherine Worthington, textile artist from Maine introduced me to the pro-chem. textile paints.  I just got a sample set of the opaque and the transparent paints.  I am excited to try them out with cotton fabric and a gelatin plate.  I will share some images soon. Happy printing!

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Gelatin Printing on Fabric today

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / /
©2012 linda germain – printmaking on fabric with a cut up gelatin plate 

Well I tore up old cotton shirt and started printing on it.  I wanted to learn more about transferring the details from the gelatin plate to the fabric.  I wanted to compare the direct marks and the marks made with the gelatin.  I used a concept that I learned from fiber artist, Linda Branch Dunn, to use up all the ink and not put it down the drain. So

  • I used the ink on the stamping tool and pressed it directly on to the fabric.
  • I used the ink left on the brayer, after inking the stamping tool. (this was the most amazing)
  • and of course I used the ink on the gelatin plate.
Combining all 3 types of marks created a stronger range of values – something I like.  I cut the gelatin into a circle and square, inked it, worked into the ink and then I picked it up and placed on the fabric.

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What to do with gelatin prints on fabric?

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / /
©2010 linda germain threads on threads,  gelatin print on fabric
Today, I am thinking about what to do with some of this gelatin printed fabric.  What would be an interesting use of the material?  Something functional?  Or something just for fun?  Could it be both?
How to make a gelatin Plate for printmaking – the video

Quick video on the basics of gelatin printmaking

Gelatin printing artist trading cards – a short video

48 second slideshow of gelatin prints by linda germain and why she loves it.

Or Take the next gelatin printing workshop

Post by Linda Germain

 

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