Today's Gelli Print Fun!

Had another fun print session today with my gelli plate and open acrylics on Speedball printmaking paper! Experimenting and learning!

Sorry about the light glare!

Multiple layers with 5"x 5" gelli plate (taped off 2" of 5"x 7" plate), only I forgot to wipe the tape off and got paint on top border.  The Pink Tree; I really like it!

Red Apple Monotype, first print...

Red Apple Monoprint, second/ghost print...

Multiple layers Blue Pear (love this one!)...

Multiple layers, 5"x 7" Green Landscape

Multiple layers, Red Landscape...

and multiple layers with a Vogue magazine image transfer in blue.

Another very fun session! I meant to try a collograph print, but didn't have room (I have GOT to clean my art space!), plus I might need to do some more research. I was thinking about it this morning and don't really understand the process and why it's so different to printing over objects on a gelli plate, or is it? Hmmmmm...

Sunday Gelli Plate Print Fun

After I tried image transferring with the gelli print, which I've already posted, I just started printing layers of open acrylic on the plate with wild abandon on card stock, mixed media paper, and journal. I can used these in collages, art journals, or add marks/paint and turn them into paintings! Still using the 5" x 7" plate!

Saturday Gelli Prints

So, I was in printmaking heaven last Saturday morning! I was still using my 5" x 7" gelli plate, but this time I tore Speedball printmaking paper into size to use my open media acrylics on. I like the results better than on mixed media paper, which is not as smooth. I wish I had signed them before making the pictures, but that ship sailed. 😊

I shared these all in a couple of pictures a few posts back, but I thought I'd share them individually so you can tell more about them. Of course, they look better in reality, because, as I've said before, I'm not a great photographer. Sorry!

Abstract, made with leftover paint on the plate...

Landscape with multiple layers, first pull...

Landscape with multiple layers, second pull...

Monoprint, with a too pink background, so I printed another layer over it, and it will be touched up later. First pull...

Monoprint, second pull...

Landscape, multiple layers, first pull...

Landscape, multiple layers, second pull, and I see a figure in the foreground...

Abstract, one layer, first pull, I see a waterfall...

Abstract, one layer, second pull, I see a red haired woman...

Abstract, one layer, first pull...

Abstract, one layer, second pull...

And one last abstract, one layer, third pull with cd disc covered in paint stamped onto it

Fun stuff!

Sunday Gelli Print Magazine Image Transfer Practice

Sorry these posts come in bunches, but I tend to create in spurts, then take a break and post what I've been experimenting with. I've learned to not be afraid to try any technique that I find interesting!

I saw this technique on transferring magazine images somewhere online and found a video on youtube, and I'm sorry, but I don't remember the lady's name. In fact, I watched 2-3 videos from different ladies before giving it a try.

I have three different sizes of gelli plates, plus a set of the minis, but the 5" x 7" is the one that was handy, and is the one I used for these, the previous and next posts, printing sessions. These transfers are on mixed media paper torn out of my journal, and I included the Vogue magazine images that I used.

I found a high contrast, glossy, black and white image, rolled a thin layer of fluid acrylic color (they used cheap acrylics like Americana) onto the plate, layed the image face down on the plate and rubbed the paper quickly, but good, and pulled it up. If it's left too long it doesn't work. The image acts as a resist and pulls the paint off the plate with it. Let the plate dry with the rest of the paint on it, then roll another layer of paint (I used open acrylic) over it, lay a clean sheet of paper over it and press really good, before pulling it up.

The one on the left, dark pink, is what I came up with. I'm very pleased with my first attempt! The dark spots are where the paint didn't come off the plate with the image. It left white spots on the image, so I learned to watch for places like this and make sure to get the paint off the plate in unwanted places before doing the transfer. Hope I didn't leave a step of what I did out!

The one on the right, the pale one, would have been a good one, but I forgot to roll the second layer of paint over where I had pulled the image up, so it transferred onto the clean paper, but not dark, or plain, enough. I can use them in art journals or collage though, it was fun, and I'll doing more, because it was fun!

I also watched a video and tried transferring a black and white glossy photo and an inkjet printed  image via the gelli plate, but they were total failures. I'll have to re-watch the videos!

I'm having more fun with art than ought to be legal! And I'm not even that good at it! But one doesn't have to be a pro to love doing something! 😀

Gelli Print Monoprint Practice

When I discovered the Bob Penneycook landscapes video, I also discovered the monotype printing with Barbara van Buskirk, which I also loved. Of course, I had to also give it a try. It was such fun!

I was just trying it, so these are practice runs, using open media acrylics, my 5" x 7" gelli plate, and Speedball printmaking paper cut into size. Again, no register. :/ I think Barbara used printers ink, and she used a printing press, but I improvised with open acrylics, sketch/painting directly on the plate and printing the one layer, pressing with my hand.

First pull of "Pink Girl".

Second/ghost print of "Pink Girl"

  

Third/ghost print of "Pink Girl"

First Print of "Purple Girl"

Second/ghost print of "Purple Girl". I like this one!

Third/ghost print of "Purple Girl"

First print of "Red Girl"

Second/ghost print of "Red Girl"

Third/ghost print of "Red Girl"

Of course, I will probably add some more detail or something at some point, but this was worth learning, and I will definitely add it to my arsenal of artistic tools!

Thank you for the video, Barbara van Buskirk! 

Playing with Gelli Prints

Still practicing with 5" x 7" gelli plate prints and open acrylics on different papers and having a blast!

This is the first pull on an altered book page, only one layer of paint...

and this is the 2nd/ghost pull on the facing page.

Torn out book page with a couple of layers printed on it. Hated it!

Printed over it in a different session!

Second/ghost print from the page above with a couple of layers added. Hated it too! Total mess!

Same page printed over in a different session! I will use these pages in a collage or something.

This is the first print on a mixed media page in my journal, one layer. I like it, but it needs something.

Same print, but I was using an old cd for a palette, and the paint was smooshed around on it at the end of a different session, so I stamped the cd on it. I like it better!

The second/ghost pull of the same print as above, still in the mm journal. I can add details or another layer , or I can collage with it.

The third/ghost pull from the print above. I can see all sorts of possibilities for this one!

The fourth/ghost print from the one above , with a roll of the paint left on my roller applied vertically. I like the print before the vertical stripe better, but it has possibilities.

This is a sheet of plain paper that I cleaned my roller off on. I like it a lot! Hubby says it looks like a man drinking from a bottle of wine, wearing a suit, with a duck in his sleeve, and you know what? It does! With a little imagination! 😊

Imagination is a powerful tool! Use it often!

Layered Gelli Print Landscape Practice

I have recently discovered Bob Pennycook's landscape paintings made with multiple layered gelli plate prints, and I LOVE them. So, of course, I had to get out my 5" x 7" gelli plate and my open media acrylics and give it a try!

This is the first one I tried, without a register, in my mixed media sketchbook, with no idea of what I was doing, so it turned out better than I expected and was really fun.

I had seen where he sort of explained his process when I tried this,

This is the first pull with maybe five additional layers added...

and this was the second/ghost print with five or six layers. I used a paper towel to lift some paint off the sky, which left the pattern on it.

I may, or may not, add some detailing or additional paint at some point, but for now, it is what it is, and I'm happy for the experience.

Don't give up on doing what makes you happy! One day the light bulb will go on above your head when you've gotten it!