monotype print

I realized that my natural printing method is to be inspired by found tools.Which takes the need to draw a matrix out of the equation.

I found this small rubber circle thing while on my daily walk and it inspired me to pick it up. It lifts of ink and applies ink to the gelatin plate perfectly. I that two different size circles that will work nicely together.

Autumn in New England there are plenty of leaves and grasses on the ground. I picked up one and gave it a “hair cut”. If the grass is too complex the shape impression ends up being a big white blob.

The other way that I usually work, is to pull many prints to get a couple that I like. I work out the composition as I go.

Today I pulled a stack of prints and then got my framing mats and cropped up a couple into pleasing compositions.

This is the shaped impression of the grasses and I used my found tool to lift off and then apply circle impressions to the plate.

This is the detailed impression of the grasses and I stamped a few more circle on to the plate with my round rubber circle tool.

This one I place the little pieces of grass back on to the detailed impression to “save” some white marks and increase the range of value. And I was playing with random design rather than a balance one.

If you would like to explore gelatin printmaking through the self study printmaking workshop, then check out he details of the online printmaking class on the information page

Today for my 30 day challenge I cut a stencil out of a manilla folder of my sister’s dog. I reduced the size of the image to fit on a 3 inch wooden ornament.

I cut is slowly with a sharp blade, being careful to keep all the interesting negative shapes in the ears, tail and legs.

I used a circle cutter and cut some circles from my gelatin plate monotype prints. Then I stenciled the dog on the papers. Then I glued the papers to the wooden disc. I drilled a hole in the disc and threaded some ribbon through he top.

Want to learn how to stencil the “JOY” ornament get the FREE tutorial below.

I have extra time to print and play, so I did a few drawings of some stylized leaves and turned one into a thermofax screen.

I think the SEE part of my 30 day #SEEdrawPrint challenge is about seeing the everyday stuff with artist’s eyes. I hope to notice things that I would not normally.

A thermofax screen is created by placing a carbon copy against the emulsion coated screen mesh and running it through the Thermofax machine. The machine “burns” the emulsion away where the carbon is and creates a screen for printmaking.

It is a great way to get a detailed line drawing matrix. I bought the machine about 4 years ago and thought I would use it a lot more than I do.

I did a random all over pattern of this abstract leaf on a flour sack. FUN!

It is fast and easy to make a series of abstract landscapes when you are printing with the gelatin plate.

Today I used the principle of range of value and dynamic division of space to pull a few monotype printed landscapes. I got several prints that I can crop and frame and turn into holiday gifts.

If you would like to make some holiday gifts, and explore the abstract landscape and you would like some help building your design and compositional skills, then you are in luck!

Check out the current printmaking workshops.

It is easy to get caught up in the process of gelatin printmaking. It is fast and spontaneous. I will often pull many prints and not really have any one print that is finished.

Add a focus to complete your print

One way to complete a print is to add a focus. Ask your self:

1. What is the print saying?
2. Does it have a feel?
3. What kind of mark would compliment and complete the print?

Sometimes it is easy to answer those questions and other times the print is just in its infancy.

This print above was just a blue and black “newsprint” pick up. And by added the black figure I created a focus and also embraced the design principles of variety and repetition.

Printing design principles

My suggestion to you is:

• notice how your eye travels around the print
• allow for surprise
• aim for a dynamic range of values from very light to very dark
• limit your tools (don’t try to do everything) in one print
• give yourself time and space to develop your design skills
• simplify, simplify simplify

If you would like to explore printmaking – check out the current online printmaking classes.