Playing with Gelli Pt 2

MY STORY

     I have become just a tad addicted to gelatin mono printing with products from Gel Press I discovered on Facebook.  This posting includes some additional techniques and the results are fun, easy to adapt and experiment with.  Check out their product and tutorials on their website CLICK HERE

YOUR TURN

     I have used various paints and papers to achieve different effects.  With just a small amount of paint and inexpensive papers you can create unique prints that can be used on various projects -- journaling, cards, decor.  See the previous post at The Everyday Muse for more ideas.

Utilizing other paper:  Stampington & Company publish numerous national magazines in the craft area.  Many of their magazines include free artist paper.  I tried using of these papers and add printing on top of it.  I actually used way too much paint on this example and covered the paper so the original was gone.  But I still liked the outcome.

Red & gun metal acrylics, rubber stamp for texture, brayer for spreading paint

You can lift off excess paint with deli paper.

Metallic Reactive Paints:  I love the metallic reactive paints from Ten Second Studios.  When the special spray is added to the wet paint, you can create interesting patina finishes based on the colors you use.  

More can be found on the Ten Seconds Studio website:  Click Here

This example uses the copper and iron base paints

Pull a texturizing tool through the wet paint

The tool creates some interesting textures

With first coat

With sea sponge, apply second coat of paint where desired. Immediately spray with patina finish

Shiny!!!

Stencils:  In my earlier post I showed how you can use stencils to create positive/negative effects.  These would be great in facing journal pages, etc., as the prints complement each other.

Used black, light blue and white to create a wintry night sky

Position stencil as desired

Pull your first print

Remove stencil

Pull another print creating what is called a ghost print

First pull using metallic reactive paint

Remove stencil, pull a ghost print

Adding patina spray

I'm not much of a freehand sketcher so I tried laying a stencil underneath the gelli plate and brush on paint instead of spreading with a brayer.  I'm not completely overjoyed but I think it would be better with a simpler stencil.  But this piece can still be used in a project:

Paper Mache: Using a large letter as my paint surface I love these results.  I added a coordinating canvas as a backing to add some interest.

White, light blue, burnt umber acrylics

Add rubber stamp for texture

missed a spot, but there's plenty of paint left on the plate

A ghost print once you remove the letter.  Not perfect but love the colors and how rich the stamped texture came out

Reload with the same paint and a different stamp for texture

coated canvas

More Ghost Prints:

First pull using black, light blue and white + texture tool

Second Pull

Playing With Gelli Pt 1

MY STORY

     I love adding new tools to my crafting arsenal and the gelatin printing plate from Gelli Arts is so addictive, I highly recommend it!  I've summarized some different techniques below and you can see that the possibilities are endless.  Stay tuned for the next blog to give you some ideas of how to create with the papers you have made.

YOUR TURN

Supplies used in these examples:

• Gelatin printing plates -- available in different sizes.  For a full list of products, how-to videos visit the Gelli Arts website CLICK HERE
• Various Acrylic paints -- colors up to you.  I like the line of Artists Loft paints found at Michaels
• Blank Canvas
• Plain paper ; vellum paper; watercolor paper -- they all have different effects
• Deli paper - 
  

     The deli paper is great for cleanups -- both from your brayer and if you want to remove some paint from your plate.  I found mine on Amazon -- 500 sheets for a very low cost.

• Paint brayers
• Rubber Stamps
• Stencils
• Household items -- I used charms I have -- anything that will leave a texture on the plate
• Sea sponge & texturizing tool

STUDIO HINT:  This can get messy.  You will need some room -- I have found it easiest to use the deli paper or waxed paper under your surface.  Keep baby wipes handy.  Also, you use very little paint on the plate.  When I first started I was putting way too much paint on.  It goes a long way.  When doing a printing "session" I keep using the same color palette so I don't have to constantly keep cleaning up.  And some paint always remains so you get some interesting results.  Once I finish, I keep my papers in files, sorted by color story, to make it easier when I want to use them.  Now, let's go....

WASHI TAPE:

     Washi tape is easily found and affordable.  It comes in all sorts of widths and colors -- the colors don't matter, you are only using them for the pattern -- they will leave a white spot on your print.

Studio Hint: When applying the tape, leave "tails" of the edges of the plate.  Will make it so much easier to remove when you are done.








STENCILS:

   Stencils are a great way to achieve texture.  They embed into the paint and the plate so when you lift off the paper you can get some great imagery.  And remember, each print is unique.

     I also applied a wash of just one color -- you still pick up some of the color which remains on the plate.  Press your paper down with the stencil on top of the plate.  Then remove the stencil and press another piece down.  You then get the negative effect -- which could be a cool look when used together in a future project.

CHARMS

     Any items you have around the house or in your stash can be used to create interesting images.  They will have to be fairly flat but here is what happens with gear charms and washers from the hardware store.  Also sometimes are use parts of the paper that I have already used.  With a similar color story, it makes some interesting effects. This is also an example of pulling a negative image and how they can complement each other:

RUBBER STAMPS

     There are a myriad of rubber stamps in the world -- I liked the effect of these decorative, deeply edged ones.  They are called out as fabric stamps, but worked perfectly in these examples:

If you apply too much paint, use the deli paper to "lift" away some of the color.

And you actually are left with a cool print

Remove some of the paint on the stamp on a piece of paper, it may come in handy

The stamps leave interesting impressions

Add more texture with this tool you easily find at hardware stores

CANVAS

     I was having fun utilizing different types of paper so I had an idea of using a canvas blank as the "paper".  In combination with a rubber stamp and the texture of the canvas, I love how this came out.  Lots of possibilities here!!

The canvas left quite a bit a paint on the plate so don't waste it, pull another print with paper

Printing on a page you have already used can add some interesting effects.

I also tried fabric ink on a baby onesie.  I think there is some potential here but the paint was a little too runny and not the best.  It came out kind of muddy on the onesie but I definitely think there could be something here in the future!

     This gelatin printing plate is so much fun to use -- you can even use regular copy paper.  Since you get so many prints out of a little paint you don't have to spend alot to get custom prints.  And you can use these prints in so many ways - cards, journaling pages, bookmarks.