I'm working on improving my printmaking techniques and trying my hand at reductive monotypes, using a gelatin plate. Today I worked on a couple of pieces that didn't have the detail that will come in future ones, but the softness and roughness also has its appeal.
The first is Back Pasture, which is the view across the grass to the woods beyond. The play of sun and shadows of the trees on the mowed grass interested me. I inked the plate with Caligo Safe Wash ink then removed - or should that be revealed - the lighter sections of the piece with rag, cotton swabs and fingers then printed it using a japanese paper.
The second image was from imagination, spurred on by a small painting that I'm working on of the sea. I wanted a dark sky this time and a bright moon on the water. The same process was used as the previous print, moving ink from the plate.
When the ink dried, which was fairly quick on this absorbent paper, I thought I'd add some colour and used oil sticks. I also took a ghost print of the water piece and may add colour to that with a different medium, perhaps watercolour.
I think both coloured and uncoloured have appeal, but for these subjects I prefer the uncoloured version. Which do you prefer?
9 comments:
This looks like such a fun process. I think I like these uncoloured more. I am going through a black/grey phase though and you know how much I love moonlight on the sea.
I like black & white ones better. They look more dynamic and more dramatic to me - with water moving, wind blowing... Color transforms it into something else to which I can't quite connect.
These are beautiful. I like the non-colored ones best. I've been toying with the idea of experimenting with some single color, value based watercolors and you have inspired me.
i like the coloured version better, reminds me of the sea more. the uncoloured version looks more like a mountain to me
I prefer the non-colored ones - they are looking great. Are you using the GelliArts gel plates?
I have to agree that I prefer the uncoloured versions. The colour adds a new dimension to the piece which isn't unpleasant, just changes the atmosphere of the image.
Yes, Rhonda, I used the Gelli plate. Its a useful base for monotypes, but I could use glass, acrylic or zinc to print from too which would also be reusable.
Beautiful work. What sort of size are the plates and how long doyou keep them? I use them when I work with kids in schools, sometimes and i sometimes microwave them to use them again but I worry about keeping them too long. What's your experience
Thanks Rebecca. This is done on a synthetic gel plate. Almost identical in feel and use to a regular gelatine plate but reusable indefinitely. This plate is 6" square
When I make gelatin plates I make them about the size of small square cakes 8-10" I keep them a couple of weeks at most in the fridge then toss them. It depends on how much they're used and how they degrade with use. Really a judgement call that's personal
These are beautiful Jeanette!! I've always preferred black and white photography and film. I think mood, mystery and drama are conveyed best without colour - an everyday scene takes on a different quality altogether. I hope you do many more.
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