Have you discovered some unique mark making tools? If you love to make indirect marks and you do not have a printing press, then you probably are quite creative in your use of unconventional tools for making prints.
Today I used:
the copier to make prints of old typewriter notes and
Coffee and a cup to stain the prints
I plan to print over these paper with the gelatin print process. I like building papers with marks and history. It gives the print layers of information that draw the viewer in.
What about you? Are you open to finding new tools or using your thoughts and words to build papers with rich history?
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Do you see possibility in everyday stuff? Do you have a collection of inspiration in the corner of your studio that you have gathered for years?
I do.
Found objects are the foundation of my printmaking process.
I challenge you to use one of those found objects in your art making within the next 24 hours. The sooner the better. Suspend all judgement and expectations and just play with your new toy.
You may start with one idea that will flow into something completely different.
I am accepting the challenge. I am going to do some kind mixed media printmaking with the chicken wire that has been bouncing around my studio for a few years.
Accept the challenge and share your experience with others. Put a link to your new toy or creation in the comments section.
Do you rush out to buy the latest and greatest gadget
Or do you dig through the recycle bin?
There is really no right or wrong way to take care of your printmaking tools, as long as it works for you. I will share my tips for caring for your gelatin plate printmaking tools.
Printing Tool Care Tips
The Brayers
Clean your brayers after every session, so they keep spinning
Use tepid water and very mild soap
I have heard that Murphy’s Oil Soap will remove Acrylic paint.
Be sure to clean around the edges and under the cross bar
Rest Brayers on the cross bar rather than the roller
The Gelatin and Glycerin Plate
Lightly cover with plastic chopping mat
Be aware of your climate, if very hot then you may need to store in the refrigerator to make the plate last
Plate seems to last longer if you use it regularly
If you notice early signs of molding, then wipe with vinegar and water mix, melt and reform it. Pour through a tarlatan to catch the gunk
Stencils
Let them dry flat and not stuck to other stencils
Store in file folders or shallow trays
I don’t clean them, because I love the ink build up
Every once in a while purge and sort. It makes them easier to find
Stamping Tools
Clean delicate tools so they don’t get clogged with ink
Store in handy boxes or containers
Put like tools with like tools
I would rather be playing with making prints than taking care of my tools. But if I don’t take care of them, then they won’t do what I want.
Gelatin printmaking tools are very easy to clean, store and care for. That is one of the reason that I love the process. I can be more spontaneous.
Not all brayers are created equal. There are several different types.
Soft Rubber Brayers are best for gelatin printing
But with any type you still want it:
To spin easily and evenly
To spin quietly ( squeaky brayer will drive you nuts)
Be comfortable to hold in your hand
To pick up and roll out ink in the desired fashion
You can find:
Soft Rubber brayers
Hard Rubber Brayers
Pop in brayers
Foam paint Rollers
Craft Brayers that can be carved
For printmaking on the gelatin and glycerin plate you want soft rubber brayers. They pick up the ink evenly and release it on to the plate easier than the other types.
The other types of brayers or paint rollers are less expensive, but they will create frustration while trying to make monotype prints that you love.
The pop-in style do not spin as easily or evenly. The metal handled style can be uncomfortable if you are printing for a long time. Hard Rubber do not pick up and release as easily.
It is also great if you can have several brayers of different sizes. The speedball soft brayers come in sizes 1 1/2″ to 6″ widths.
It is nice to have a small brayer to get into tiny spaces. And a large brayer will give you better coverage with less lines when you are inking up a large area. You will waste less ink if you use the brayer that meets the size of your project.
Try to take care of your brayers. If you do they will last a very long time. Here are a couple of brayer care suggestions if you are working with water based inks:
While you are working try not to let acrylic or other hard products to dry on the brayer.
I keep a small container of water near by to drop my brayer in while I am setting up a print
Before you clean, roll off most of the unused ink onto scrape paper
Clean with tepid water and a few drops very mild soap
Be sure to get out all the ink from the cross bar and side pins.
If you let ink build up there, then the brayer will not spin as well
Gently dry them with clean soft rags
Rest them on the metal crossbar rather than the rubber roller
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 homemade baren for printing without a press – Linda Germain
Cut a circle of stiff foam core
Cover the foam core with 2 sided carpet tape
Tightly coil clothesline rope on top of the tape
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
Finally, I added a sticky vinyl to the bottom, so it would slide more smoothly.
