Mixed Media Collage with Gelli Prints

I've been having some fun with the new 'Media' product line from DecoArt. In addition to the Fluid Acrylics artist paints, there's Gesso, Modeling Paste, Texture Sand Paste, Crackle Paste, Crackle Paint, Antiquing Cream and several Varnish finishes. I love that the Modeling Paste and Gesso are available in black and white! All of these products are great to work with� and can be combined with Gelli prints to create finished art!

Mixed media collages are a great way to use your Gelli prints! Here's how to make this one:

To create these small pieces, I began with nine 4" square Blick Canvas Panels. You can also use mat board, book board or chip board as your substrate. The Gelli prints were selected from my stack of previously printed paper. The Gelli prints used in this piece were all printed on Staples Card Stock 110 lb.

This mixed media collage has a Fall theme and incorporates dried, pressed leaves and skeleton leaves. Your collage can follow any theme... or none!  The Gelli prints you select can determine the direction your piece takes.

To create the background texture effects on the small canvases:

1. Cut or punch a 3" circle shape out of sturdy plastic stencil material to create a mask.
2. Place a piece of removable double-stick tape in the center of the circle mask to keep it in place on the canvas square. The mask is centered on the 4" square.
3. Use a palette knife to apply molding paste, gesso, crackle paste or crackle paint around the mask. Each of these can create a variety of effects. Press textures into the wet molding paste or gesso, or swipe lines into it with a comb.
4. Carefully remove the mask and allow to dry completely. (Repeat this process on each small canvas, using different pastes and texture tools for variety)
5. Paint the dry canvases with black paint�getting into all the crevasses. Let dry.
6. Apply paint and antiquing cremes. Add and wipe off in layers until you get the look you want.
7. Paint the masked circle area of the canvas with gold metallic paint.

To create the small round collages:

1. Select several previously Gelli-printed papers. (Note: These Gelli print circles were over-dyed with Ranger Distress Stains to eliminate any white areas of the paper).
2. Cut or punch a 3" circle from the Gelli prints for each small canvas (9 circles). 
3. To give your circle print some dimension, cut a 3" circle out of heavyweight fusible interfacing and iron to fuse a circle print to it. This is optional.
4. If desired, use a metallic paint marker to make a fine gold line around the cut edge of each circle print.
5. Arrange collage material (dried leaves) on each circle print. Glue into place using matte medium. Let dry.
6. Use a soft brush to apply a coat of Ultra-Matte Varnish on each complete collage.

To create the textured background canvas panel (15�x15�):

1. Apply modeling paste with a palette knife to a canvas board. Spread over the entire surface.
2. Press or stamp various textures into the wet paste. Allow to dry completely.
3. Apply paint and antiquing cream to the textured surface and work into all the crevasses.
4. Apply paints and antiquing cremes in layers, wiping some off and adding more until you've achieved the look you want. Let dry.
5. Coat with Ultra-Matte Varnish to seal the surface.

Note:  The canvas panel used for this piece was cut down to 15�x15� from a larger canvas.

To complete the piece:

Arrange and adhere the small square canvas collages to the large canvas board with an appropriate adhesive, such as tacky glue. Let dry.

Done and ready for framing!

Have fun complimenting your Gelli prints with modeling paste, texture paste, crackle paste and gesso to make fabulous mixed media collages!

Lastly... we are launching our Gelli Arts Fall Giveaway Promotion!  

Enter our Fall Giveaway below. Check out all the options for entering the random drawing and choose one OR choose all the ways to enter! 
Multiple entries allowed!    

Our 8" Round Gelli Printing Kit includes:

• (1) 8" Round Gelli Printing Plate
• (1) Speedball 4" Rubber Brayer
• (1) Gelli Arts Apron - Priceless!

Good luck and of course, Happy Printing! 

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