an assortment of work in process for an upcoming market
People frequently ask about how-to-do monotype gelatin prints and well, I always say, come to the studio and try it with me. It's addictive and spontaneous as well as a great springboard for other ideas in your artwork. I took some photos of one of my children's classes this week in action to give you the basics. There is so much more that you can do with the process and it is truly unlimited in creative expression.
First you make the unflavored gelatin. 2 Tbsp. per cup of water enough to fill out a form (at least 1/5 of an inch tall) you choose (cookie sheets are easy) Mix the gelatin over low heat gently to keep the bubbles and foam down. If you get foam, just scoop it out gently. When the mixture is clear and has heated to a rolling boil, pour it slowly into your form. Let is cool on a level surface. (Live in an older home as we do? check the surface first with a marble!) If there are bubbles or foam simply take a strip of newspaper and pass it over the surface to the edge to pick up stray foam.
Once the gelatin is set, put it in the fridge to harden further. You are ready to print!
it is shiny,slimey, and wiggly
Cut a piece of gelatin to fit your paper size.
go gently, too much ink makes blobs!
Using waterbased inks, roll a thin layer out onto the gelatin or paint it on.
this gelatin is a few weeks old, note the curling edges...
Use a variety of tools: brushes, bubblewrap, handmade lino blocks, paper stencils, corks, combs, what-have-you, to create an image on the surface of the gelatin.
Remember that it is only gelatin and can't take a beating!
Place your paper over the top of the gelatin and rub it gently with your fingertips.
palm trees in the blue by amanda
Peel it off and voila! A print is born! Want to come to a workshop? Drop me a line at susan[at]artstreamstudios[dot]com and I can sign you up!
