Reflections on 2018

Reflections on 2018....

Here is some of the art I created....

Mini collage landscapes...

Altered large playing cards...

Each month during the year I provided the Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts FaceBook Group with a challenge/Inspiration...

We traveled to Europe for 3 months...

Health Update - it's been 4 years since my back started hurting due to Multiple Myeloma  and then the degenerative discs but this year has been good as I am still in remission and have had minimal back pain though it still occurs when I've overdone things - standing or sitting too long especially when creating art...

I hope you all had a good 2018 and have a great 2019, I'll be back tomorrow with my One Little Word for 2019.
 
Love and hugs, Shells.... 

Creating Calendars

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

December 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration is to create a 2019 Calendar using gel prints.

I have made them for several years now so I have several different techniques:

1.  Use a blank calendar and glue on some of gelli prints.  Easy squeasy!

2.  This is another type that I made.  I used this site to print out the months and I glued them onto A3 cardstock along with the gelli print and then created heaps of DIY washi tape and taped down the edges;

I used a hole punch to put a hole in the top and then added a hinged ring on this one and ribbon on the second one I made;

3. I used this site to print out the months and collaged prints onto the reverse - making sure they are the right way round. I made a cover picture then I took them to the local office supplies store and asked them to bind the calendars and they can also punch a hole in the top.

October 2018 GPE Inspiration

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

October 2018 Inspiration is to make cards. This time of year many people are thinking of sending out Christmas cards or you may like to get a stash of cards ready for next year - blank cards or thank you cards or cards to sell.

Buy your envelopes first so you know what size to make your cards.

Gather together all your art supplies - cardstock, gel prints, good quality glue, good quality ink that doesn't smudge and stamps, punches, wash tape, ribbon, pens...

Peruse Pinterest for ideas - there are hundreds of different cards....

You can print straight onto the cardstock or collage onto it.

Here are some videos - many more on youtube and Pinterest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlNwv0V36xE&t=15s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj5WQ0Lnzdo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LnbPo5Ag6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMqOIDHDVI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKQwShAhB58

Here are some of the cards I've made: (note the smudgy ink, argh this is terrible ink so get yourself some good ink that stays on - I've since used sprayed on varnish because I was getting ink all over my fingers and cards.)

September 2018 GPE Challenge/Inspiration

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

September 2018 Challenge/Inspiration is to use different papers for your prints.  Get out of your comfort zone and try different papers on your plate and see how they react with the colours.

I like to use iridescent or metallic paint on black paper/card, and leaving some of the black showing through helps to make the paint pop.

Some videos to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrpkzvrxgS0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SPMW25jYbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rylHtECg6_4

Secondhand shops are great for old books and music sheets.

Coloured papers provide other challenges too. Darker paint colours on the paper make the print pop out.

Have fun!

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!!!