Beautiful Image Transfers on Gelli� Printed Backgrounds!

Hello everyone! My name is Birgit Koopsen and I feel honored to be guest blogging here on the Gelli Arts blog!

Today I will show you how to use your Gelli� printed backgrounds for beautiful, colorful image transfers. 

Watch my video to get started � written instructions are below!

We start by printing a bunch of backgrounds using an 8x10 Gelli� printing plate. 

First, pick your colors.

If you want bright and vibrant colors (like on my prints) then stay away from dark colors like black, dark blue, dark green and so on. Add in one or 2 neon colors for extra vibrancy.

Then, decide which tools you want to use to create marks, patterns and texture.

I went to the DIY store and got myself one of those fluffy paint rollers, big enough to hold the tube of a toilet paper roll. Then I covered toilet roll tubes with bubble wrap, punchanella and pieces of self-adhesive craft foam. These are perfect to create ongoing patterns on the Gelli� plate and so much fun to make! I also used the inside of a chocolate box and I just love the square grid that it creates on my prints. In addition to these, I used stencils and a texture plate from CarabelleStudio.

Now you are ready to start printing, and you know how it is when you start Gelli� printing, right?! It is impossible to make just one print so make sure you have a nice stack of paper on hand ?

I�m using 200gr. cold press watercolor paper which I think is the perfect paper to do image transfers on.

Just create a bunch of random colorful backgrounds, start with color only, no patterns yet. I usually start with covering my backgrounds with 2 or 3 light colors like yellow, pink and orange and then later add patterns in darker colors, this way you will keep the light colors vibrant.

If you would, for instance, print a translucent yellow on top of a darker blue or green then it will lose the vibrancy. Then, once I have a nice stack of printed papers, I move on to doing patterns, marks, and texture, but I make sure to leave some spaces open for the image transfers. Especially when you do portraits � it is not always nice to have bold patterns in the face.

The pictures below show the fun results of using the handmade texture rolls and the chocolate box:

I love using stencils on my prints, but in general not in the first layer of print. To create the look on the picture below I add paint to the Gelli� plate, put a stencil on top and then make a print (usually on scrap paper) to remove most of the paint that is in the open spaces of the stencil, but not all of it. Then I remove the stencil and pull the final print on my background.

To create the image transfer you need laser prints or photo copies (inkjet does not work well with this technique), gel medium (I prefer Liquitex Matte Medium because it is so fluid and smooth and easy to work with), a soft brush, a bank or gift card, paper towels, baby wipes, a bowl of water and of course your beautiful Gelli� prints.

Steps for Image Transfer:

1. Pick one of your favorite backgrounds.
2. Cut out the picture you want to use.
3. Apply a thin layer of matte medium to both the background and the right side of the picture
4. Place the picture, right side down on the background.
5. Use the bank card to remove any excess matte medium and air bubbles from the picture
6. Let it dry..... (patience!)
7. Once the background is dry, use water and your fingers to rub away all the paper
8. Finally, cover the image with a thin layer of matte medium

Watch the video again to see the process, it is really not that complicated!

When the image transfer is done, you can work on your page as on any other art journal page. You can stamp, paint, draw and write on it. The transfer is water resistant so you can use whatever medium you like.

I finished my page using stamps from the �Round and Round� set that I designed for Carabelle Studio, splattering and some handwritten text.

I stamped the circles on a separate Gelli� print and cut them out, then glued them to my page.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Our Winner is T. Dickson!

Check out our fabulous giveaway! 
One lucky winner will win all the following supplies 
to try this technique on their own!

• (1) 8x10 Gelli Printing Plate
• (1) Speedball 4" soft rubber brayer
• (1) Jar of Liquitex Matte Medium
• (1) Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylics, Set of 24 20ML 
• (1) Carabelle Round on Round Stamp designed by Birgit Koopsen
• (1) Carabelle Triangle Mesh Mask designed by Birgit Koopsen
• (1) Carabelle Texture Plate
• (1) Carabelle Circles Mask

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. One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this very special giveaway!) Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, May 24th 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 Wednesday, May 25th at noon EST. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I would love to see what you create!

Birgit x

PS: Please�share your prints with us on our Facebook page, or on Instagram using the hashtag #gelliprint #gelliarts and #gelliplate. Tag us with @gelliarts on Instagram and Twitter too! We love to see what you're creating!!

Remember, we now have Gelli partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli retailer near you!

Happy Printing from all of us at Gelli Arts!

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Gelli� Printing Tutorials�5 Fab Techniques Revisited!

The sphere of people learning about and using Gelli� printing plates keeps increasing�and more and more people of all ages and levels of art experience are discovering the joy of mono printing.

I'd like to welcome those new to the Gelli� printing process � and thank those of you who have been following this blog along the way � by reintroducing some of the most popular techniques I've demonstrated here.

If you're looking to expand your base of techniques, learn some new fun exercises in Gelli printing, or refresh your memory on various processes, take a look at the following videos!

Gelli� Printing in Painterly Layers

The painterly approach to monotypes can range from loose and spontaneous to structured and carefully planned...and everything in between. In other words�this technique is for everyone!!

Gelli� Printing�Faux Chine Coll�

Chine coll� is a printmaking technique where lightweight paper is adhered to heavier paper as it's passed through a press with an inked plate. The result is a print on a collage. Watch this video to see how this process can be adapted for Gelli printing! Then get ready to print on fragile papers, brittle book pages, or other thin, delicate papers!

Gelli� Printing with Styrofoam Plates

Here's a great way to repurpose styrofoam plates to use in monoprinting! This video shows how easy and fun it is to turn styrofoam plates into reusable texture plates with your own designs!

Thick and Thin Gelli� Printing
Watch what happens when you roll a layer of thick paint over a thin one... for a unique way to create a layered multicolor Gelli� print in one pull! If you're fascinated with unpredictable paint interactions � you'll want to explore this FUN technique!

Gelli� Transfer Film Prints

Gelli� plates have a unique surface that allows you to pull monotypes on clear adhesive film, like packing tape! You won't believe how easy this technique is! Just takes a little patience to let the paint dry completely on the plate before printing.

There you have it! Plenty of inspiration to get you going! What a great way to start your creative New Year!!

And to all of our Gelli enthusiasts � best wishes from all of us at Gelli Arts for peace, joy and an artful journey in 2016!

Please�share your prints with us on our Facebook page, or on Instagram using the hashtag #gelliplate #gelliarts or #gelliprint. Feel free to tag us with @gelliarts on Instagram and Twitter too! We love to see what you're creating!!

Remember, we now have Gelli partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli retailer near you!

Have Fun and Happy Printing! 

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Gelli� Printing with DIY Cardboard Texture Plates!

Get a head start making your own custom-designed texture plates for Round Gelli� plates by beginning with pre-cut cardboard cake circles! Watch this video and see how easy it is to create texture plates for monoprinting using these corrugated cardboard circles.

The baking aisles in craft stores are stocked with a number of products that have potential use in printmaking � and it's a fun place to get ideas. What captured my attention were the cardboard cake circles! The sizes are just right for making texture plates for the round Gelli�  Plates!

Corrugated cardboard is like a springboard for the imagination! There are countless ways to create textures on a cardboard substrate for printing. Plus, corrugated cardboard's unique layered and laminated structure means you can carve interesting designs in it, then pull back the top layer to reveal striped areas! Let's explore that process!

All you need for carving cardboard texture plates is a craft knife with a sharp blade, a cutting mat, and a pointed tool.

The cardboard cake circles I bought are regular corrugated cardboard with brown kraft paper on one side � and shiny white paper on the other. After experimenting with cutting and printing both sides, I found the regular brown cardboard side printed the best and resulted in the crispest images. So that's what I recommend.

You can work freehand, or draw your design on the cardboard first and cut along the drawn lines. Don't cut all the way through the bottom layer � just the top. I tend to cut through the corrugated layer too � it's hard to avoid � and that's okay. It also helps to mark the sections you want to remove.

Cut your design through the top layer of the cardboard with a craft knife. Then remove sections of the top layer of paper � revealing the stripes below.

To remove a cut section of the top layer of the cardboard � carefully pull it up. It helps to slip a pointed tool, like a knitting needle or an awl, into a 'valley' under the area you wish to remove. That helps lift the paper � revealing the striped corrugated paper underneath.

TIP:  The top paper does not usually come off cleanly. So, while pulling the paper up, I run an awl or knitting needle along the edge of the 'mountains' to help release the paper. A tweezer comes in very handy to pull up any small or stubborn remaining pieces.

As you're tearing and removing the top paper, you may want to leave some of the peeled paper remnants that stick to the corrugated 'mountain' part of the cardboard. The torn paper remnants can create a more organic look in your prints.

You can also trace a stencil onto the cardboard and use that as your guide for carving the cardboard! Cut along the lines and remove the top layer of paper � leaving the areas that are the 'holes' in the stencil � to create your pattern.

Add layers! Cardstock, chipboard, or manila folders are all great paper materials to use for adding shapes to your cardboard substrate. You want to be sure to glue any papers securely to the cardboard so they don't come off while printing. Tacky glue works well.

You can create interesting printed images by gluing torn paper, hand-cut shapes, die-cuts and punched pieces to your cardboard plate.

Punching holes into the cardboard plate with an awl will create dots in your printed image.

Printing with cardboard plates:

1. Apply acrylic paint to your Gelli� plate and roll into thin layer with a brayer.
2. Press your cardboard plate firmly into the wet paint � and remove.
3. Place your printing paper on the Gelli� plate, rub to transfer the paint � and pull your print!

The paints used for all of these prints are Amsterdam Standard Series acrylics. They have a fabulous line of colors � one of my favorites is Pewter. It's a beautiful metallic � and great when layering with other colors! 

If you're into neon brights � check out their Reflex colors! The final pull on this print is toned with a solid sheer layer of Reflex Rose. Seriously vibrant!

When working in layers with the same texture plate, as you press the cardboard plate into wet paint on the Gelli� plate, each layer is usually a bit out of registration. That can create a 'drop shadow' effect, which gives the print a dimensional look. Very cool!

It's so satisfying to make your own unique cardboard texture plates! And cardboard is everywhere! Keep your eye out for round cardboard packaging! It's a great find when you come across it :)

Cardboard texture plates are sturdy and can be used over and over! And the prints are so wonderful!! Try it!

Eventually, the cardboard texture plates can become so layered with paint they develop a beautiful patina � and you may want to use them as collage material. They can even be a finished piece of art � as is!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!! 

Winner is Camille G-H!

Our FABULOUS giveaway is a complete kit for making exciting ROUND prints with DIY cardboard texture plates!

The Prize Kit includes:

• 1 - 8" Round Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 1 - 6" Round Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 1 - 4" Round Gelli Arts� Gel Printing Plate
• 10 - Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint - 120 ml Tubes
• 1 - Speedball� 4" Soft Rubber Pop-in Brayer
• 1 - 6 in. Wilton� Cake Circles - pkg. 10 count
• 1 - 8 in. Wilton� Cake Circles - pkg. 12 count
• 1 - 10 in. Wilton� Cake Circles - pkg. 12 count
• 1 - X-Acto Gripster� Knife
• 1 - Gelli Plate Printing: Mixed Media Monoprinting Without a Press - 144 page book signed by author, Joan Bess

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. One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this very special giveaway!) Entries will be accepted until noon EST Monday, June 22nd, 2015. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than 5pm EST on June 22nd, 2015! 

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!!

.

Remember, we now have Gelli� partners all over the world, so it's easier than ever to find a Gelli� retailer near you!

Good Luck and Happy Printing! 

Materials Used In Today's Blog:

4" Round Gelli� Plate

6" Round Gelli� Plate

8" Round Gelli� Plate

Wilton� 6" Cake Circles

Wilton� 8" Cake Circles

Wilton 10" Cake Circles

X-Acto Gripster Knife

Creative Mark Cutting Mat

Clover Bamboo Knitting Needles

110 lbs Cardstock

Chipboard

Manila Folders

Tacky Glue

Clover Straight Tailor's Awl

Amsterdam� Standard Series Acrylic

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