making prints without a printing press…
our local Mixed Media Collaborative group certainly knows how to have a good time…
we meet twice a month and yesterday we played with gelatin monoprinting which is something I have been dreaming of since last year…
there is inspiration everywhere on the internet with some great videos and tips…
if you are wondering why make gelatin prints the inspiring and talented Linda Germain gives some great reasons here…
we made our own gelatin slabs which was easy but you can buy a ready made plate that will last much longer and is ready to go…
we printed on regular printing paper, card stock, index cards, tissue paper and cotton fabric…
each person’s creations were so unique and beautiful as there are endless possibilities and we’ve just begun…
it is always a treat to spend time with these talented and generous artists…
I had such a good time that when I got home and started to unpack I thought I’d play a little more…
(I made my gelatin plate in a take out plastic container with snap on lid which now measures about 4.5 x 6 inches … 11.43 x 15.24 cm after a chunk breaking off)
the photos you see here are from my at home play time where my gelatin plate shows a little wear and tear after a day of play…
I like the extra patina it gave to my prints…
soon I will post a few step by step photos that I snapped of a monoprinted fabric piece I made that it is not blue or green 🙂
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
This looks like so much fun and there seem to be a lot of possibility with what you can create with this
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just fabulous… I have been wanting to try this and thanks for the link, I will get one of the Gelli ready made plates … your prints are absolutely stunning… xoxox
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By the look of your hand…you had a really good time!! hehe I haven’t gotten my hands that good and messy for a while. I miss it!
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This is very cool.. thanks for all the links to read.. love how all your pieces turned out.. gorgeous!! xx
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You are going to love these monoprints, especially when you start playing. My first one broke, too, but it broke in the middle. I hope you brought yours home. Simply reheat and pour it back into the mold. It won’t take long and it will be ready. BTW, the more you reheat it, the smaller it gets and the stronger. You’ll not have the same breakage problem after the second attempt. Just be sure to remove all the paint and strain it while warm if there are any impurities in it. Don’t expect it to ever be clear again, either!
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Looks like an interesting process! Always nice to get together with like-minded friends for a bit of creative play. Best wishes, Tammy
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it looks like you ladies had some serious fun 🙂
I love getting my hands covered in paint, inks or glue. If your hands aren’t dirty, you’re probably not doing it right.
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This looks wonderful. You are so blessed to have a group like this to play with!!! I will check out your links….look forward to your next post, too! You KNOW I’m trying to narrow my playing field…you are not helping! rofl
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oh, I have absolutely to try it!!
So, it just needed one of those jelly powders bought at the supermarket, and a good tutorial?!
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I am always amazed at the unending creativity that you are involved with. Thanks for these wonderful photos- whish I was there with you!! xo
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I’ve not come across gelatin printing before, I shall have to go and investigate. As for the hand, I haven’t managed to get that messy for quite a while. I must be doing something wrong 😀
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Oh my goodness, Patty, these are marvelous!! Thank you so much for sharing all the important info with us, as well as your beautiful creations. When I put the soldering aside, I will have to try this! You are inspiring ~how lucky to be able to collaborate 2x a month with such a talented group of artists!
xoxo
Karen
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looks like super super fun!
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This process has fascinated me for ages… but I’ve yet to try it. Will be missing in action for about a month as we are having a holiday, but a Gelli plate is first on my list when we get back.
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Forgot to say how much I LOVE the results you got and am looking forward to a step by step post.
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Gorgeous prints! I’m definitely going to have to try this!
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Fab-U-lous!!! This is right up my alley and down my street!! Fun, fun and morrrrre fun!! LOVE the examples you show too! Thanks for all the links,,,am off to browse them.
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Can’t wait to see the step by steps… sounds awesome and the results are beautifully soft…fascinating…xx
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Oh, these prints look wonderful … it sounds and looks awesome.
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Oh wow what for wonderful blue prints Sweetie.
Your work rock. Unbelievable design. Love them all.
Have a sunny weekend my dear friend. xoxo
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oh patty, i love how these turned, its something ive wanted to try too….the designs and colors are fabulous and its always nice to get together with crafty arty freinds and make stuff ! did you use fabric paint on the cotton ones? xx
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Hi Patty. These look amazing and so much fun. Want to have a go now!! TFS link.
Regards Florence x
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Fantastic Patty! Thanks for sharing!,,
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That’s such a great fun, dear Patty, isn’t it? It looks adorable. Have a great weekend
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your results are just fabulous! makes me want to try it also…
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Great Post Patty – your photography says it all! I love the pieces you did at home – you really had great success on the fabric! Just love those! Can’t wait to see all of it creep into your creations!
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I had my 4-H club do some block printing last month inspired by Martha Stewart. I’m looking forward to seeing more of what you’ve done. I believe this is more sophisticated 😉 than what we did. ha! I really had fun with it though.
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wow Patty-what fun!! I love how your prints turned out. I’ve been contemplating purchasing a Gelli plate for awhile now. I think I’ll wait til summer’s over and I begin lamenting about the coming cold weather-it’ll be a nice “pick-me-up”. 🙂
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Pingback: more monoprinting… | Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz
Cool !! There are magnificent !!
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I am SOOOO doing this! Patty you always give me the best ideas and inspiration! Just when I get a bit bored with techniques all I have to do is come visit your blog and I’m excited to play again! thank you! hope you are having a fabulous weekend! xo
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Patty this looks like such fun!! Great for surface design. My art students would love this, they love MESSY!! They are awesome. I’ll have to test drive this so I can teach them 🙂
Thanks for a great and inspiring post ❤
xo
Gaye
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Absolutely FANTASTIC, love the idea and the backgrounds are gorgeous. It’s a pity, that the Gelli plates aren’t available in Germany.
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Looks like you had a great fun and turned out some pretty awesome pieces too, definitely a win/win. I’ve toyed with the thought of trying this but our apartment is completely carpeted and I just know I would upend the whole shebang onto the floor before I was done!
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I never heard of gelatine printing so I checked out all the links and info you gave… thanks so much for sharing! No I definitely want to do this myself… do you think it will work with acrylic paint? (I have no block-ink, or what’s it what you use?)
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Hello ma chère Patty,
quelle belle découverte, les résultats sont magnifiques avec cette gélatine. Merci du partage.
Bizzzz
MAPY
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Thanks for sharing a bunch of my info on gelatin printing with your readers. It is always fun to get others hooked on gelatin printmaking.
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Love what you’ve done, but I have to ask…. WHO comes up with this stuff?!
Gelatine is the last food I would think about as an art medium. heehee
Will investigate…
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What a great blog post and it looks like you had a ton of fun. Love the comments on Gelli plates 🙂 Would like to share your post/prints on our Gelli FB page!
Nancy Kelley
Gelli Arts
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