Register HERE
Who: Lucy Senstad and you!
What: Gelatin Printing Workshop
When: September 19th from 10 am - 3 pm
Must register by September 11th. Refunds will be distributed if minimum attendance is not met by September 11th. Cancellation after September 11th will be issued a 75% refund.
Where: Art in Motion on the Lake Wobegon Trail
1400 4th Street, Holdingford, MN 56340
Cost: $100 (includes a lunch from Boho Cafe)
Please fill out this form prior to class.
Class Description
Gelatin printing is a process for making monoprints on fabric or paper. A slab of unflavored gelatin is a fine surface to use with fabric because it is soft and flexible and allows a better transfer of design to the fabric than wood, glass or steel might. Paint or ink [water based] is applied to the gelatin and then a design is made in the paint using stamps, leaves, washers, cardboard, found objects etc. The fabric is then placed on the gelatin and the design is transferred by smoothing with the artist’s hands. A second “ghost” or “negative” print can sometimes be obtained when the objects are removed from the gelatin. Occasionally a third print can be made on paper and often has a beautiful fossil-like appearance. The artist can overprint almost immediately as the paint or ink sets up very quickly. Some of the prints you see have been overprinted many times; sometimes just by using a very slightly different color of paint or by masking out parts of the design with torn paper strips or other objects. The fabric prints are heat set with an iron to make them permanent and washable. These prints can be sewn into a quilt or a fiber art piece, or simply framed to hang on the wall. As the gelatin plate ages, it develops cracks, tears, pits and crusty edges, all of which enhance the beauty of the prints. Lucy often whips bubbles into the surface of the gelatin to add more interest and dimension to the printing process. Some gelatin plates have survived several weeks of printing while others will mysteriously last only a few days.
In this class you will be introduced to this diverse and accessible print-making process of gelatin printing. You will leave with upwards of 12 prints that can be made in to: cards, quilts, wall art, art books, anything! We will be using handmade plates made with unflavored gelatin and water, not the commercial Gelli Plates. You learn the basic techniques as well as explore the process with your own creativity. We will be making mono prints of your own designs, so bring your imagination and expect some unexpected results.
Materials Provided:
Brayer
Paint
Gelatin plate
We will be making Gelatin plates in the studio the night before the class: September 18th at 4:30 pm. Participants are welcome to come make plates with the instructor and Art Coordinator at Art in Motion, but attendance is not required. Feel free to make your own plate (see recipe below)
Fabric and paper
Textures
Things to Bring to Class:
Wear your painting clothes.
Bring some of your own fabric or paper: prints work best on mostly solid fabrics that are at least 1" larger all around than your plate. Lucy uses lights, darks, black, interesting prints with words. Papers can include pages from old books, music sheets, rough or smooth papers, crisp interfacing or plain light or dark papers. If you tend to work quickly, you may make 10 to 20 prints. Find things that inspire you, this will make your art yours.
T-shirt: if you want to print on a t-shirt, wash it first so the paint will adhere.
If you have your own brayer, please bring it and check the box that you will be bringing your own. If you would like to purchase your own brayer we suggest getting a 4'' or 6" rubber brayer. It will feel very firm. Foam brayers do not work well. I like the Speedball brand.
Textures and Found objects: Bringing your own objects will make your projects feel more authentic to you. Raid the junk drawer, look for interesting textures at garage sales, in farm outbuildings, the toy box, etc. look for things with holes, bumps, and textures such as sponges, rubber stamps, wood blocks, corks, onion bags, grates, grids, trivets, screens, bubble wrap, old hardware, paint comb or adhesive spreader with textured edges, feathers, leaves, flowers, weeds, lace, rubbing texture plates, cardboard in different thicknesses, Dollar Store items, stencils, etc.
Suggested reading etc: There are many videos on YouTube that cover gelatin printing. Books: Rayna Gillman's Create Your Own Hand Printed Cloth. Jane Dunnewold: Complex Cloth. Sherill Kahn: Creating with Paint. There are many more out there.
If you want to make your own Gelatin plate for class follow this recipe and make it the night before class:
1 box unflavored gelatin, use all 4 envelopes; find it in the grocery store near the Jello
1 c. cold water [USE A MEASURING CUP AS WATER NEEDS TO BE EXACT AMOUNTS]
I c. boiling water
Dissolve the gelatin in the cold water and stir till it is absorbed. It will be about the consistency of applesauce. Add the boiling water and stir until completely melted. Pour into a small pan, bowl or to-go container, roughly 6" or so. The gelatin should be at least 1/2" thick; a little more is even better. Refrigerate till set, which should take an hour or so. Cut around the edges and gently lift it out of the pan and set it back in. It should be very firm. Don't worry about imperfections around the edges; they add interest. Most importantly, it should feel quite sturdy. Replace it in the pan and refrigerate; bring to class.
Questions: don't hesitate to message. Lucysenstad@gmail.com