Simple sometimes works.  This ICAD gelatin print is just one stencil and a bit of magenta and blue ink.

Chaos or Simplicity?

Everything is moving so fast,  so much to do and see and be.  Don’t you just feel your body relax when you see a clean organize monochromatic space on pinterest or in a blog post.

I do.  I move back and forth between chaos and simplicity.  If you saw my studio right now you would seriously wonder if simplicity was possible.

If you keep things simple:

• decisions are easier
• choices are clearer
• thoughts are less frantic
• the body can rest

When you look through your pile of gelatin prints which ones are you drawn too?  Are they the simpler ones or the chaotic prints?

When you choose colors do you have 2 or 3 go to colors or do you use every single one in every print?

There are no wrong or right answers.  There is just observation and information that you can use to enhance your printmaking process.

Happy Printing!

Butterfly stencil for this quick gelatin print.  I did this in 2 simple steps.

Tools for this Gelatin Print

• sponge mop head as stamping tool
• potato masher as a stamping tool
• Butterfly stencil
• white pen, or marker
• gelatin plate
• orange and magenta speedball ink
• brayer
• palette
• index card

Steps to Make the Monotype print

1. Roll orange ink on the plate
2. Mark into the orange ink with the sponge mop head
3. Print the orange layer onto the index card
4. Roll out the magenta ink
5. “Stamp” into the ink to with the potato masher to remove some magenta
6. Place the butterfly stencil on the magenta
7. Put the print paper on top and burnish
8. Then use the white pen, paint or marker to add the circles.

If you are just getting started with gelatin printing this is a good way to get started.  You use both of the main tools that I use in gelatin printmaking, masking stencils and stamping tools.

Another helpful hint to getting started is to watch my videos, make a plate and start experimenting.