Making Monotypes with Gelatin

This weekend I'm doing a demonstration at an art center/gallery in Portsmouth, Virginia and wanted to do something other than linocuts that people and kids might enjoy taking part in themselves. I have this nice book on making gelatin prints that I bought a few years ago. I admit that I tried it but the imprecise nature of the process drove me crazy! Looking at the book again and the lovely prints I see there, I can't help to want to give it another try. Here, I'll show you some experimenting that I did yesterday!

Pouring cooked gelatin onto glass plate.
I made a clay border to hold the gelatin.

Removed the clay border after gelatin gelled.

A pretty gelatin plate! Perfect!

Inking the gelatin plate with the brayer and adding a stencil.
Then printing by folding the paper onto the gelatin and rubbing the back with the hand or a baren. The paper is attached for a good registration.

More stenciling.
More inking.
More printing!

I added some brushstrokes of blue paint to see the affect. I'm calling this the end!
I must admit - it's a little fascinating.
And no press required.



The final result.
I've learned some things and had more
fun this time around!