Layered prints in progress

This week I’m practicing a lesson on printing in layers from A Year of Gelatin Printing with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. I’m using a 10×8” gelatin plate and 11.8.5” white card stock. I made several color charts using different combinations of colors, and chose one that looked like autumn. The paints are Golden Open Acrylics in Naphthol Red Light, Yellow Ochre, Iridescent Copper, Teal, and Dioxazine Purple. I will also use Black and White paints.

Before I started, I set my intentions:

• COLOR: Rich warm autumn colors with touches of blue sky
• SHAPE: Leaves, grasses, rocks, garden structure
• VALUE: Full range of values, mostly middle to dark value with some lights.

I started by printing about two dozen backgrounds, then chose several to develop further. I’d like to end up with 6 pieces in a coordinated group. As I look at this group, I’m evaluating whether these pieces fit with my intentions, how I can improve them. I’ve made notes about my thoughts on each piece right now, but I may change my ideas as I go along.

The texture and colors are interesting, but everything blends together because it is all middle value. Needs more structure and value contrast.

Good mix of warm and cool colors, but all middle value and messy shapes. Needs simplification.

I like how the colors are working but the composition is not balanced.

I like the structure and value contrast in this one, but it needs some warmer colors to fit with the series.

I like the colors and value contrast in this one. I may leave this one alone.

Colors and contrast, but I don’t like the strong black shape touching the right edge.