Monday 16 September 2013

Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate - for easy monopriinting

This is a new technique I found through an atcsforall.com swap.




The plate has a strange feel, with lots of give. It was quite expensive but it can be re-used again and again, after cleaning with water or a baby-wipe. You can't use anything sharp on it to make marks as this could damage the surface but you can use blunt tools, like the end  of a paint brush for mark making.

I put dabs of coloured acrylic on the plate and rolled it with a brayer; I added various shapes like sequin waste and empty frames etc. I especially like the effects created by using metallic acrylics. I often printed for a second time over the original print to create more layering.

The prints were from a 6" x 6" plate. They have been cut down to create 3.5" x 2.5" cards so I have chosen the most interesting rectangles.





There is a lot of scope with this! These prints would make good backgrounds but I shall be experimenting so watch this space!

Sunday 15 September 2013

More lino cutting...


some test prints...


I decided I hated the cross hatching on the iris so chopped it away. But then I abandoned it as it was such an unclear image and I went with the marigold below instead.
I am much happier with this one as it is cleaner and clearer.


There are going to be an awful lot of people receiving  birthday cards with irises or marigolds on though!

I have also found that painting or colouring the iris prints creates some interesting effects and redeems the lino block to some extent.