August 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

August 2018 Challenge/Inspiration is Creating Layers. Whilst the majority of members already create layered prints I encourage you to experiment and get out of your comfort zone. I have created layers using translucent paints, opaque paints and a mixture of both, from light to dark and dark to light, complimentary colours.

Here's some videos of creating layers on the gelli plate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KgkK07fztY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=129&v=fK3AQ08sYRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KedtZ7Qpro

I look forward to seeing your prints.  Have Fun!

July 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

July 2018 challenge is Texture - share with us your favourite texture making tools and the prints you create with them. Inspiration - the tools you find around your house and in cheap stores. You are to inspire others and in return receive inspiration from them.

My favourite way to make texture is to scrunch up thin paper (greaseproof paper in Australia), then unscrunch and place on the painted gel plate. Different amounts of pressure produce different results. The scrunched paper can then be used in collage.

I also like to use bubble wrap - the bubbles come in different sizes. I have found other packing materials fun to use too.

I have found a few different tools at the dollar store, such as mats.

Here are some videos for you to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ceOCg-tBk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQrRAAzL_jw

I look forward to seeing what tools you use to make texture on the plate.

Have fun.

June 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

June 2018 Inspiration is Jane Davies - Stacks of Shapes.  I tried this a few years ago and it was lots of fun. Here's a link to my blogpost from 2014. My prints are very controlled and not very loose - something which I'd like to try and change.

View Jane's video here to see how she created her gel plate shapes. I used thin cardboard to cut out my my stencils and mask and used translucent paint with micaceous iron oxide paint by Golden Acrylic to make the shapes look more rock-like.

My Jane Davies Pinterest board is here.

You will find Jane on Pinterest, Youtube, website.

Have fun.

May 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

May 2018 feature artist is Linda Germain - Printmaking Without A Press. I consider Linda to be one of the leaders in gelatine plate printmaking as she has been creating prints since 2007 using a homemade gelatine plate (not a store bought one).

You can use photo or magazine images to create masks or stencils then use them on your prints.

Check out Linda's video on masking stencils and layers in gelatine printmaking.

Here is my Pinterest Board on Linda Germain.

Check out Linda's videos on YouTube.

Linda is also joining in on the global celebration of printmaking on May 5th. Hope you join in too!

Have fun.

April 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

April 2018 Inspiration is stained glass windows - I love how colourful they are and how many different designs there are too.

I have created a few different techniques for members to try. Pinterest has so many stained glass window and patterns so take a look there - This is my stained glass window board.

1.  First technique I used was to print out a pattern then cut out the lead light section. Using a white pencil to trace around it on black cardstock, then cut it out using a craft knife.

Patterns with wider lead light lines are good or ones that can be widened as you need an area to glue the papers onto.

Create or choose some transparent papers from your stash - deli paper, tissue paper or greaseproof paper in Australia is great for creating transparent prints.

The sections that have been cut out can be used as templates for the glass sections.

I used a glue stick to glue my papers onto the black lead light cut out.

2. The second technique I tried was an easier method as it cut out one major step:

Use your photocopier to print out your pattern onto cardstock or thick paper. 

Then gel print or paint the back of your cardstock black/grey.

Then cut out your pattern - lead light sections and glass sections which can be used as a template on your colourful gel prints.

Then glue onto the lead light using a glue stick or gel medium.

3. The third technique I tried was to use the lead light cut out to create a plastic stencil to use on the gel plate. For my stencil I used a thin plastic chopping board but you could use a different substrate. A new blade in your craft knife really helps too. ;)

Cover your gel plate with black/grey paint, place your stencil on top. Use a clean piece of paper or colourful print to remove paint. Then remove your stencil and the paint that is left on the plate should be the lead light outline - press your colourful print onto the plate and rub then pull off and there you have your stained glass window, which you may want to leave as is or cut around.

Here are some of my prints:

Have fun!!!

March 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

March 2018 inspiration is Claude Monet - the founder of French Impressionism painting.

I chose Monet for this month challenge as I thought his style of painting lent itself to the painterly technique on the gel plate - which is using a paintbrush instead of a roller to apply paint to the plate and a picture is created on the plate before printing.

Some video links to the painterly technique:

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/95701560816055149/
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/95701560816055165/


I have tried this technique before but found it difficult and purposeless (why not paint directly onto canvas? I asked myself) but I thought I'd have another go at it. I still found it difficult and didn't like my print of Monet's bridge so much that I'm not even going to show it to you! But I used it for the water lilies in the top right but the background was a print with a scrunched paper background. I created more backgrounds and prints to use for the collage at the bottom.

I also keep reminding myself not to expect an exact copy of Monet's work - he is a way better artist than I am and it's his technique.  His artwork is just inspiration for my techniques.

The goal being to try something different and have fun too.

Here's a link to my Claude Monet Pinterest board.

February 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have created a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

February 2018 inspiration is Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky who for a period created artworks  which were colourful, abstract and contained geometric shapes

The idea is to use the artwork for colour inspiration and then to create a similar collage or something unique. Participants should be challenged, inspired and most of all have fun.

Here's a link to my Kandinsky Pinterest Board.

January 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

I have create a challenge per month for my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group.

January 2018 inspiration is artist Rex Ray whose artwork is created from papers and collage and has a retro 60's feel.

The idea is to use the artwork for colour inspiration and then to create a similar collage or something unique. Participants should be challenged, inspired and most of all have fun.

Here's a link to my Pinterest board which has some videos of him creating: https://www.pinterest.com.au/shellsinthebush/artist-rex-ray/

Creative Colour Challenge

This month Louise Gale's Creative Colour Challenge was red and roses so I decided to take a photo of this red rose whilst at my mother-in-laws house recently.

And here's a red rose I painted in 2010...