
Thanks for stopping by! Earlier this week I had an article published at Unruly Paper Arts showing a variety of prints I made with my Gel Arts Printing Plate. I learned how to use it when Julie Fei-Fen Balzer demonstrated it during a class in October. Seriously? I went into that class thinking I do not need a Gelli Plate. I have enough stuff. I didn't even want to watch the Gelli Plate demo. However! Julie did such a good job, I had to buy it in both sizes! Rude not to.
The plate is best stored in the plastic packaging it arrives with. You can print with it on paper, fabric, etc. I used deli paper (also known as waxed paper) which I buy in 500-sheet boxes and use for a variety of things. This is what it looks like clean:

Set the plate down on your work space and spread a layer of paint on it. I like the inexpensive paints from Dick Blick. Personal preference determines whether you use liquid acrylics or heavy body paints... just know that the thin layer will dry quickly so you do need to move fairly quickly.

You will get better results if you make a thin layer as in Photo #1, but I'm showing you two versions so you get a feel for how you can mix and play with your colors.
Lay a stencil on top of the wet paint and put a sheet of deli paper on top.
Press down on the paper with a brayer, or simply smooth it out with your hands.

Lift up to reveal the print:

I've done it again with a darker paint to make it easier to see. Note you get the positive and the negative impressions, depending on how you flip the stencil:

The fun comes with layering. I used a lot of different stencils (Stencil Girl, Prima, The Crafters Workshop) and a lot of different paints. Here's a bold solid one:

And here's a more muted, softer print:

The sky's the limit with this plate! There are a dozen prints on the UPA article. I think these last two images show how versatile the Gelli Plate is... no matter what your style. I used the Sizzix Tag & Bookplates die to create my tags.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Enabler Alert: Dick Blick has them on sale right now! Click the picture below to see.
Marjie

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