Gelatin Plate Watercolor Monotypes

Pronouns pro/nouns

Gelatin plate printmaking with watercolors is inexpensive, easy, and a really fun time! It's also minimally toxic and can be safely done in the home.

I don't own this process! I've worked hard to refine what I'm doing and bring you the information on this page, but I don't believe in hoarding knowledge. Feel free to copy, share, or redistribute this information any way you like, with or without crediting me.

The recipe I use to make the plates is adapted from recipes on crafttestdummies.com, kimherringe.com.au, and creativefabrica.com. I tend to tweak my recipe every time I make it – experiment to see what works for you! It’s pretty forgiving.

Making the Plate

Ingredients

To make a 8"x8"x1” plate, you will need:

  • ½ cup of unflavored gelatin -- this is a maximum. Less gelatin may give you a smoother plate, but the shelf life will be shorter.
  • ¾ cup of vegetable glycerin, available in most pharmacies and in larger quantities online.
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 cup boiling water. Get it real hot!!!
  • ½ cup isopropyl alcohol. I use 70% but some people use the stronger stuff.

Tools

  • A mixing bowl and rubber spatula
  • An 8"x8" container with a smooth bottom. We don’t want ridges or dips or imprints.

Instructions

  • Pour ½ cup cold water, ¼ cup of vegetable glycerin, and ¼ cup of isopropyl alcohol into the bowl. Pour SLOWLY and mix it all up SLOWLY to avoid bubbles. BUBBLES ARE THE ENEMY.
  • Sprinkle in ALL of the gelatin (if you're using packets, open them into another container so you can pour them all in at once) and mix it slowly. It will get very thick - you're going to do more "mashing" than mixing. We are looking for a well-mixed situation with an applesauce consistency. This will smell awful.
  • Add the ½ cup of BOILING water, the rest of the vegetable glycerin, and the rest of the isopropyl alcohol. Mix slowly until you have a smooth, homogenous mixture.
  • Pour the mixture SLOWLY into your flat pan. Remember, BUBBLES ARE THE ENEMY. If, despite your best efforts, you happen to have a few chunks of undissolved gelatin grossness, pour through a strainer instead of directly into the pan.
  • Skim the top of the pan with a scrap piece of paper to remove bubbles/scuzziness. You'll see what I mean. I like using thicker card from junk mail or old cereal boxes.
  • Let it sit on the counter for around 3 hours, then move it into the fridge to set overnight or at least 4 hours.
  • Once it's done, you can keep it for a long time OUTSIDE the fridge! I find that my plates are shelf-stable for about six months in Kansas, but only three months in humid Arkansas. Your mileage my vary depending on your climate.

Notes

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  • Voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste.
  • Iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae.
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