Learn how to create fun monotype prints through the wonderful world of gelli printing!
About Gelli Printing
According to Exploring Studio Materials by Mary Hafeli, a monotype simulates a printed painting (134). First, you apply ink on a flat surface, then print it on paper. They're also one of a kind, hence the prefix "mono" so they're not part of an edition. We can thank Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, an Italian printmaker, for beginning to create monotypes in 1640 (Hafeli 134). Later on in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, some of your favorite artist such as Degas, Matisse, and Picasso also contributed to the expansion of monotype printing's materials and versatility (Hafeli 134).
Before getting started, here are some things Hafeli suggests to keep in mind when teaching gelli-printing to children:
Establish a climate of experimental inquiry. Have kids brainstorm different approaches to printmaking so that they can be creative and experiment through trial and error (143).
Always consider the students' previous experience with printmaking as well as their age, confidence in their skills, and coordination. Start with limited colors and surfaces, then slowly introduce more complex techniques and materials (144).
Have pre-selected tools at the students' disposal so that they learn to make deliberate decisions when they choose for themselves in the future. Additionally, sharing the materials encourages collaboration (145).
After each step of the prints, ask students about what they're learning throughout the process and make them reflect on their artworks. Written reflections can also aid in building artistic communication skills (145).
Now that you have some background information, let's get started with what you need:
MATERIALS
Gelli plate
Soft body acrylic paints
20-80 lb. paper
Brayer and tray
Hand sanitizer or baby wipes
Paper towels
Stencils GALORE! These could be stencils you make yourself or that you find around
Textural objects GALORE! These could be things like feathers, bubble wrap, lace, stamps, plastic, nets, etc. Try anything :)
Steps:
Step 1: Setting up the paint
Start off with putting a few dots of paint onto your gelli plate and spreading it into a translucent coat with the brayer. If there's not enough paint, add more. If it's too much and not translucent, perhaps start over. Feel free to combine colors by blending them completely or leaving it splotchy for cool effects!
Step 2: Adding stencils and objects
Once you have a thin coat, add as many stencils or textural objects as your little heart desires. Then, get a sheet of paper to put on top and rub it hard so the paint transfers.
Step 3: Revealing prints
After you rub the paper hard enough, pull it off to reveal your prints! The negative areas are from the stencils, and this technique is called "stencil plate" according to Hafeli (136). Note: The thicker the stencil, the harder it'll be for the paint to transfer onto the paper. Likewise, too thin of a stencil (like lace) can cause the paint to go right through. It's a learning process, so don't be discouraged if these don't turn out how you originally wanted them to!
Step 4: Ghost prints
After completing step 3, there will still be paint leftover on your gelli plate. If you place the paper on top of that gelli plate again, more textures of the stencils or objects will appear in this new print. For example, the first picture shows my original print vs. the ghost print. Notice how the ghost print captured the texture of my net even though in the original one it couldn't since it was too thick.
Step 5: Layering prints and playing with color
Now that you've learned the basics, you can layer prints! I suggest using a ghost print as a base for the other layer(s) you wish to place on top since more paint will cover it. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then create "stencil" prints on top of it as many times as you'd like. The pictures above are my examples. There are no rules to this, so be as chaotic as you'd like with the composition. As for color, I'd strongly suggest to layer with contrasting colors. If using analogous color combinations, it'll be very hard for your textures or stencil marks to show. Don't be afraid to explore and have fun!
For Your Inspiration:
Hannah Klaus Hunter is an American collage artist. She makes beautiful prints revolving around nature and healing. In her artist statement, she says, "When I return, I take my experiences directly into the studio and express them in a tangible form. I’m in pursuit of beautiful and accidental marks." She also has online workshops for botanical monotype prints!
Check out her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannah.k.hunter.5
Andrew Steinbrecher is a graphic designer who enjoys gelli printing and collaging. He's inspired by the "controlled chaos and dichotomy of urban environments." His monotype prints themselves display that merge between graphic design and graffiti art.
Check out his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drewsteinbrecher.art
What This Project Teaches
Gelli-prints are a magnificent way to stimulate students' creativity with non-traditional art materials. Students can think outside of the box and learn that everyday objects can be used to make beautiful art. They might notice a pattern in their work, which can spark conversations and reflections. Those who are perfectionists would also be encouraged to take risks and reap the rewards, or learn from their mistakes and try again. Because it is heavily a trial and error process, it can teach students how to problem solve and/or how to let go and keep going.
Reference:
Hafeli, Mary Claire. Exploring Studio Materials: Teaching Creative Art Making to Children. Oxford University Press, 2015.
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