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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, 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.
*TIP: add a few drops of chlorine bleach 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 give you some really wonderful
edges and is easy to handle because you don’t have to get the gelatin out of
the mold. 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 the surface of the ink, use feathers,
stencils, rubber stamps, string, leaves, etc.
Michaels Hanover and Braintree www.michaels.com
JOHNSON ARTIST MATERIALS, INC 355 Newbury St. Boston MA
02115
617-536-4065
www.johnsonpaint.com
Blick Art Materials
Landmark
Center, Fenway
401 Park Drive
Boston, MA 02215
617-247-3322
www.dickblick.com
Charrette 31 Olympia Avenue Woburn, MA 01801 781-935-6000 www.charrette.com
Paper Source 1810 Mass.Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-497-1077
Utrecht 333
Massachusetts Ave. Boston, MA 02115
617-262-4948 www.utrecht.com sales@gelatininnovations.com http://www.ballisticgelatin.net I've
never ordered from these folks but have been told they are a good source: http://www.fxwarehouse.com/ |
| Contact Mary Taylor Art All images Mary Taylor© |