Gelatin Monoprint Accordion Book As Seen on That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-161 Project by Mary Taylor© from Marshfield, MA, USA

Taylor learned how to create gelatin image blocks from a high school art teacher who provided workshops on this technique. Gelatin printmaking is a welcome departure from her day job of working with computers, printers and teaching Mixed Media Digital Printmaking. This is how she made “ZIGGY” an accordion/concertina book full of her own gelatin monoprints.

Materials: unflavored gelatin, bowl, cold water, very hot water, measuring cup, non stick pan, water-soluble inks (Speedball works very well), brayer, palette (piece of glass or smooth plastic like a place mat), ferny leaves or other ephemera, coffee filters and soft papers (tissue-like), printmaking paper for making book, bone folder, very thin Plexiglas, steel wool (super fine), straight edge, utility knife, table knife, power drill, ribbons, needle and thread, button, sewing machine, PVA glue, glue stick, foam brush, newsprint paper, wax paper, 2 pieces of plywood and heavy object for weight.

Steps:
1. The gelatin mixture ratio is one cup of water per two packages of unflavored gelatin or 2 Tablespoons (U.S.) other quality gelatin.

2. Measure the mold pan for the amount of liquid needed to fill it 3/4 to one inch thick with the gelatin mix.

3. Without heating the water, put half the amount of cold water needed into the pan. Sprinkle the gelatin onto the cold water and let the gelatin granules swell. When the gelatin is swelled it will resemble applesauce.

4. Boil the remaining half of the water. Add the boiling water to the applesauce looking mix to completely dissolved gelatin crystals.Pour the water slowly and stir gently to avoid bubbles.

5. With a light touch of your finger remove all bubbles on the surface. Or place a piece of newsprint on the surface and carefully remove the paper. Let the gelatin set up on the counter, then refrigerate several hours.

6. When the gelatin is solid, cut around the edges with a knife and remove the block. Unmold carefully.

7. Roll ink onto a palette with a brayer blending the colors as desired then roll the ink onto the gelatin surface.



8. Lightly place a pressed fern leaf or other object onto the surface of the painted gelatin.



9. To create a positive image, remove the leaf from the gelatin plate and place a flat coffee filter down onto the gelatin, gently smoothing the paper with your hand. The paper will pick up the detail of the positive image of the leaf.

10. To create a negative image, place the leaf onto the inked gelatin plate. Place the coffee filter over the leaf and gently press all around with your hand. Remove the paper and you’ll have a negative or silhouetted image of the leaf.

11. Trim the prints to 4-1/2" x 5" with scissors.

12. Fold a 6" x 30" piece of heavy paper in half. Measure five inches to the right and left of the centerfold and score using a bone folder at each measurement. Fold the two scored lines. Measure five inches from each of the new folds, score and fold. Accordion fold so that the pages resemble mountains and valleys.

13. Glue the printed images to the inside pages of the accordion book using a glue stick. Insert pieces of wax paper between the pages to protect them from the wet glue. Place the book between two pieces of plywood and place a heavy object on top and let dry.

14. Stitch veins onto the leaf images with a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. Trim the threads.

15. Cut two pieces of Plexiglas for the front and back covers to size by scoring with a utility knife and breaking the piece on the edge of a table. The cover should be slightly larger but no more than 1/4-inch taller and 1/4 inch wider than the folded accordion. Round the corners by sanding with sandpaper.

16.Rub /sand both sides of the Plexiglas pieces with steel wool.

17. Drill two holes in the front cover for a button using a power drill. Sew a button for the cover closure onto the front cover through the drilled holes. Glue a piece of ribbon between the back page and back cover for the closure.

18. Glue the front and back covers to the book using PVA glue applied with a foam brush. Insert pieces of wax paper between the cover pages to protect them from the wet glue. Place the book between two pieces of plywood and add a heavy weight on top. Let dry.