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FAQ: Gelatin Monoprint (To see demo step by step click here) Supplies: Non stick pans/molds for making gelatin plate, gelatin, hot water, tap water, measuring spoon & cups, bowl, brayer, palette for rolling ink on, water-based block printing ink, textured ephemera, paper Recipe = per 1 cup of water 2 packages of Knox® gelatin, or 2 scant tablespoons other high quality gelatin. More gelatin will yield a stronger more durable printing block. Measure the containers for how much liquid you need to fill them 3/4 to 1 inch thick with gelatin mix. You'll need a smooth bottomed container. The requisite is that they are smooth bottomed and non stick. You're trying to make as smooth a printing surface as possible. Swell gelatin in tap water then add boiling water and to completely dissolve. Stir gently to avoid bubbles, pour slowly into your container, *remove all bubbles on the surface, let gelatin set up on counter then move to refrigerator. After it is solid (few hours in refrigerator) remove from mold. *TIP TO REMOVE BUBBLES: gently drag newspaper across the surface of bubbly gelatin or gently use a hair dryer / heat gun to pop the bubbles *TIP: add a few drops of chlorine bleach or clove oil to water to help prevent mold When the gelatin is solid cut around the edges and remove the block, un-mold carefully. Allow gelatin block to stand at least an hour at room temperature to dry out a bit. Reuse the blocks by wrapping up used blocks and keeping in the refrigerator. They turn pink as the magenta ink seems to bleed into the block it will not cause you any problems just don't eat the pink Gel-O. It will keep about 3 weeks so this could be an on going project or a one timer. Don't dispose of gelatin in sink drain toss out into trash. It will smell bad quickly and in a drain the gelatin will act like cement. Alternatives to the non stick pans and more traditional way to make the printing block is to use a large sheet of glass and make a well from clay. Make a clay rope and press on to the glass sheet. Form a complete frame/well. Pour the warm gelatin into the clay on glass well and when it is solid remove the clay rope. This will create wonderful edges and is easy to handle because there is now unmolding the gelatin.
Printing
Roll
ink onto a palette with a brayer then roll ink onto gelatin surface. The coating of ink should be slightly
transparent over the gelatin. Too
much ink will create a blurry /watery print.
Now
lightly press/lay objects onto the surface of the inked gelatin. You are only pressing into the ink not
the gelatin, so be gentle.
For
a positive Image remove objects from the
gelatin plate and place paper down onto the plate, paper will pick up the
detail of the positive image of your object.
For
a Negative Image place objects onto inked
gelatin plate. Place paper over the object and gently press all around. Again be gentle. Remove paper
and you’ll have a
negative or silhouetted image of your object.
Draw with tools or paint brushes into/onto the surface of the ink, use feathers, stencils, rubber stamps, string, leaves, etc.
All the printmaking supplies are available at most art supply stores. The book making supplies are a bit harder to find. Jerry’s
Artarama (personal favorite) online Blick Art Materials Landmark Center, Fenway 401 Park Drive Boston, MA 02215 617-247-3322 Charrette 31 Olympia Avenue Woburn, MA 01801 781-935-6000 Paper Source 1810 Mass.Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-497-1077 Utrecht 333 Massachusetts Ave. Boston, MA 02115 617-262-4948 Commercial Gelatin Supply I purchase non food grade gelatin from:
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