A few weeks ago we had another "TED" (Technique Exploration Day). Anne skipped out on us so Estelle and I were alone to do some gelatin printing.
Let's start with the good stuff. We used the instructions in this book. I probably have almost every surface design book written but, hand down, this is my favorite. It's well written, well organized with clear instructions and lots of great photos.Of course, there is a whole chapter on gelatin printing.
I didn't get any in-process photos of our day. It's certainly easy enough to create the gelatin plate. I was able to even create one giant one in a shallow cookie sheet (or whatever that pan is called). It only took a few hours for the gelatin to set up although I let it set overnight just to be sure.
It's a simple process. You spread paint or thickened dye on the gelatin plate, place a mask on the surface and then print the fabric. You can then remove the mask and print the surface again and you can use the mask as a stamp for a 3rd image. Of course there are lots of variations from there. As the gelatin plate is used it also develops interesting texture on its own.
If you want to see some cool work with gelatin printing, check out these slide shows from LuAnn Kessi.
I have to be honest, neither Estelle or I were enamoured with this technique. It's OK but we both found ourselves thinking that there are other ways to accomplish the same effect.
With gelatin printing you are limited to the size of plate that you make. With other techniques, like straight stamping or painting, you can work on any size surface you wish. These are some of the samples that I made using thickened dye. I knew I was in trouble with this technique when I lamented over "ruining" my "good scrap fabrics"!
I even tried it with some fabric paints. The technique worked like it should, I think, but it's just not the kind of print that I would work with. I think I am better with overall textures or very defined images like you get with screen printing, stamping and batik.
I'm glad we tried it and I certainly see the appeal for some artists, but don't expect to see any more gelatin printing in my future!
This month will be a diffrerent story. I expect that we are going to have a blast with resist techniques.
I tired it once...didn't speak to me either. Glad I'm not the only one.
Posted by: Deb Levy | June 22, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Our group tried this too. The prints I liked best were after we broke up the gelatin and printed on the broken pieces.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | June 22, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Glad to hear this... I have been wanting to try it but have a list of many things so will put it near the bottom. Waiting to see the resist stuff soon!
Posted by: upstatelisa | June 22, 2011 at 08:10 PM
That looks like fun, so many print possibilities.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St.Germain | June 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Sounds like you had fun even though you didn't love the results. Looking forward to your next experiment. :)
Posted by: Yvonne | June 22, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Gelatin printing is such a blast!!!! I have been itching to do some more lately!! Love what you did!! I have done this many times with groups of kids- they love it as well!!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Woodford | June 23, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Thank you for sharing this experiment with us. I too like what you did, even though you are not so fond of the method
Posted by: Vero | June 24, 2011 at 01:09 AM
Hmmm, looks like you got the right results for the method, probably just not the right technique for you. At least you gave it a try, if not you'd never know it wasn't quite right for you.
Posted by: Summerset | June 24, 2011 at 01:23 PM