Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Wonders of Nature: Exploring the Edges and Outlines of Plants Through Monotype Gelatin Printing with Candace Garlock
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to gelatin-based printmaking by making impressions of everyday plants. This is a water-base project, so it is safe and non-toxic and it is a process that can be done at home. It is also a fun art activity to do with kids of all ages!
Supplies needed:
Gelli plate or a home-made gelatin plate (recommended if you are on a budget). Instructions to make a gelatin plate are included below and its fun to make as a family fun cooking project.
Any kind of paper available to print on
A sponge
Scissors and or cutting knife
Wax Paper
Any kind of water-base paint (liquid form); I like to use tempera with kids.
A variety of brushes including a couple large flat brushes or sponge brushes
A small rubber brayer is nice to use but not necessary
Paper towels, water container for paint brushes
Leaves or other plant materials
About Candace Garlock
Candace Nicol Garlock is an artist working in Reno and Professor of Art at Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada. She is a board member of Rocky Mountain Print Alliance. Candace’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and occupies such prestigious permanent collections as the Boise Art Museum, Corcoran College of Art and Design, Rutgers Center for Innovative Print and Paper at Rutgers University, Southern Graphics Council Archives, The Kinsey Institute, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and Painting and Sculpture Museum Association, Istanbul, Turkey. She has been awarded the distinguished Nevada Arts Council Artist Fellowship in 2009 and the 2017 Nevada Regent’s Creative Activities award. She also has been awarded an honorable mention in Printmaking Today, a review of fine art printmaking at the Dedalo Center for Contemporary Art, and the Castle of Castiglione Museum, Abruzzo, Italy. Nicol’s work can also be seen in 100 Artists of the Male Figure by E.Gibbons. You can see more of her work at www.candacenicolgarlock.com.
How to Make a Gelatin Plate
Materials Needed:
A flat-bottomed baking pan to use for the mold. Sides need to be about ½ inch high minimum. The ones I use are available at either the dollar store or Wal-Mart. The size is about 9” X 13.”
Powdered, unflavored gelatin (Available at Wal-Mart in the “jello section) To buy in bulk go to bulkfoods.com)
A tablespoon
A 4-cup plastic or glass measuring cup
Microwave
Water
A whisk
Newspaper
A level table or countertop
Important notes: Place the pan you will use for a mold on a level surface with some newspaper underneath it to catch any spills. You want your pan to be as level as possible and make sure you are away from direct sunlight. Sunlight will melt the gelatin.
Making the Gelatin:
First figure out how much you will need.
Two rounded Tablespoons of Powdered Gelatin + 1 Cup of Water = 1 Cup Cooked Gelatin
For an 11” x 14” ¼” thick plate you will need 3 cups of cooked gelatin.
Measure out the gelatin and set it aside.
Pour room temperature water into a 4-cup or larger plastic or glass measuring cup.
Sprinkle the gelatin slowly into the water and stir with a wire whisk until there are no lumps.
Cover with plastic and cut a couple of small slits in the top.
Cook for 3 ½ to 4 minutes in the microwave.
Take off the plastic and spoon the foam off the top and onto a piece of newspaper or paper towel. (Do not put the foam down your sink.)
Put some newspaper under your pan on a flat surface and pour the gelatin gently and slowly into the pan. The depth of the gelatin should be about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
Right after the pour, clean off any bubbles that are on the surface by gently sweeping across the surface with newspaper strips.
DO NOT POUR EXTRA GELATIN DOWN THE SINK. SCRAPE IT OUT AND DISCARD IT. WASH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE USED IN A SEPARATE PAN AND DISCARD THE WASH WATER OUTSIDE.
When the Mixture has Cooled:
Allow the gelatin to set in an area that has no direct sunlight. It may take several hours, depending on the air temperature. You know the gelatin is ready when it is cool and firm to the touch. A safe way to do it is to make the plates the evening before and let them set overnight.
Get everything set up to print. Do this before you remove the gelatin from the pan.
Before you remove the gelatin from the pan, use a sharp knife (an X-acto works well) to cut around the edges, and remember, it is a fragile material that can tear fairly easily so be gentle when you try to pick it up.
The bottom side of the gelatin plate may be the best to use as a print surface, although either will work.
Keeping the Plate to Re-Use: A gelatin plate will last several days if you clean off the paint, put it back in the pan, spritz it with water and wipe off the excess, and then cover it with aluminum foil. It will last even longer if you have room to put it in the refrigerator.
Nevada Reads is a program of Nevada Humanities that is made possible with support from Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the City of Reno; and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Library of Congress’ Center for the Book promotes books and libraries, literacy and reading, and poetry and literature.
