Have you been overlooking some readily available, fun textures for creating great images in your Gelli� prints?
Watch this video and refresh your printing experience with textures from everyday items! What FUN!!!
Watch this video and refresh your printing experience with textures from everyday items! What FUN!!!
With the dizzying array of stencil designs, stamps, embossing folders and other fun texture tools in the marketplace it's easy to lose sight of some of the most exciting ways to create wonderful texture in your prints � using common household items and found materials!
Here's a handy list of some great texture items you may already have on hand � have fun & experiment!
- String, Thread, and Yarn
- Rubber Bands
- Credit Cards, Hotel Key Cards, etc.
- Plastic Wrap
- Wax Paper
- Cotton Swabs
- Bottle Caps and Jar Lids
- Disposable Cups
- Straws
- Pencil Erasers
- Leaves and Botanicals
- Feathers
- Cheesecloth
- Burlap
- Sponges
- Textured Fabrics
- Textured Wallpaper (Anaglypta)
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Toilet Paper Cardboard Rolls
- Plastic Shelf Liner
- Bubble Wrap
- Doilies
Another useful supply you may already have on hand � 3x5 inch index cards! They're perfectly sized for masking the 3x5 inch Gelli� plate! Not only do they work great for this purpose � but you also get great printed cards from using them as masks!
The paint used in all of these prints is Golden� Open Slow-Dry Acrylics. A small amount of this paint goes a long way! And after you've pulled a print, the second (ghost) print can reveal the most amazing � almost photographic � details. Sometimes a pale third pull is possible � even when it looks like there's hardly any paint left on the plate! Create beautiful images � especially effective as ghost images from leaves and other highly detailed textures.
Golden Artist Colors also makes Open Acrylic Medium � in gloss and matte. Add this to any acrylic paint to extend its working time. As we head into summer � and for those of you in hot, dry climates � this may be just what you need to keep your paints � any acrylic paints � from drying too fast. For Gelli� printing, that can be a huge benefit!
The paper used for the prints in the video is Yasutomo Kozo Rice Paper. I cut 8.5" pieces from an 11" x 60' roll. The cut pieces had some curl to them, so I took a few minutes to iron them flat � not really necessary, but to me it's worth the extra effort to work with nice flat sheets.
Both of these rice papers have a smooth side and a rough side. Printing on the smooth side with Golden Open Slow-Drying Acrylics gives you a beautiful printed image.
TIP: When the paint on the gel plate is too dry � rice paper can tend to stick to the plate and tear when you pull the print. If you find that happening, either use a little more paint or add Open Medium. Adding water can create a soggy mess with rice paper!
Instead of cutting rice paper � use a water tear to get beautiful feathery edges. To do a water tear � wet a clean pointed brush with water and 'draw' a line where you wish to tear the paper. Gently push the pieces apart along the water line. The paper tears easily and has a natural-looking edge. This is a great technique for using pieces of rice paper prints in collage, as you can tear it into any shape.
Here's a process for working with your found textures to make prints like those demonstrated in the video � using the 8x10 and 3x5 inch Gelli� plates together! So look around for textures and get ready to make some unique prints! For this process, the 3x5 inch Gelli� plate is mounted on an acrylic block and used as a stamp.
(p.s. For more on using the 3x5 printing plate for stamping... watch this video.)
(p.s. For more on using the 3x5 printing plate for stamping... watch this video.)
- Apply two colors of acrylic paint to an 8x10 Gelli� plate and roll into a thin layer with a brayer. To create a gradient effect, apply each color to opposite sides of the plate. Roll out the lighter color on one half of the plate � then roll out the other color � meeting in the middle of the plate.
- Apply a textured item into the paint. Some textures can be pressed into the paint and removed (i.e. bubble wrap, wadded waxed paper, jar lids). Some textures (i.e. cheesecloth, leaves, string) are placed on the painted surface. Cover those with a piece of thin paper, such as deli paper � and press into the paint, outlining the objects with your fingers. Remove the cover paper (which are often beautiful prints!) then remove the textured item from the plate.
- Place several 3x5 inch index cards � as masks � on the painted gel plate.
- Cover with the printing paper � rub with hands to transfer the paint � and pull your print.
- Place the 3x5 Gelli� plate onto an acrylic stamping block or other clear mount.
- Apply acrylic paint to the 3x5 Gelli� plate and roll into a thin layer with a brayer.
- Follow the same process as Step 2.
- Stamp the small plate directly onto a masked area of the printed paper.
- Repeat steps 6-8 to fill each masked area to complete the print.
There are so many ways to approach this interesting printing process. Look around and you'll find all kinds of textures for printing! Use simple paper masks for building interesting layers! Imagine the possibilities!!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!
Winner is Jane!
And we have a fabulous GIVEAWAY so you can make colorful, textured, multi-plate prints like those created in the video!
Our GIVEAWAY package includes:
- 1 - 8x10 inch Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
- 1 - 3x5 inch Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
- 4 - Golden Open Acrylic paints � 4 oz. jars
- 2 - Golden Open Acrylic mediums � (gloss and matte)
- 1 - Yasumoto Kozo rice paper � 10"x 60' roll
- 1 - Aitoh Hosho rice paper � 9x12 inch pad
- 1 - Speedball 4" Soft Rubber Pop-in Brayer
- 1 - Surprise Kit of Assorted Textures!
To enter the giveaway, click on the red "ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE" button below! (This will ensure that we can contact the winner and that entries are limited to one per person.)
Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, May 26th at noon EST. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than Tuesday May 26th at 5pm EST.
Special thanks to Golden Artist Colors for their generous donation to our giveaway!
Remember, we now have Gelli� partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli� retailer near you!
We all have our favorite textures, tools and methods for making our marks in monoprinting. Please leave a comment and share some of your favorites! Thanks!
Good Luck and Happy Printing!
Materials Used In Today's Blog:
Materials Used In Today's Blog:
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