Let’s break in that gel plate!

Are you ready to go gelli? Let's dive into the gelli printing shenanigans with my quick 5-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Gather Your Gel Printing Supplies

Before you start, gather your gel plate, acrylic paints, a brayer, and some paper. If you have a few stencils, grab those too. Don’t worry about anything fancy when you are just starting. I always recommend you use things that you already have. One of my favorite papers to print on is simple copy paper.

Step 2: Paint the Town Gel

Squirt a bit of acrylic paint onto your gel plate and spread it evenly using the brayer. You can always add more if you need it. When first starting, don’t worry about color theory. If you stay on one side of the color wheel (either blues and greens or reds and oranges), you will be fine. With more practice you can start color mixing.

Step 3: Let the Layers Dance

Place stencils onto the painted gel plate. Get creative – use leaves, lace, or even bubble wrap to add texture. Layer on more paint, creating a colorful masterpiece with each pass. This is the play time.

Step 4: The Big Reveal

Hold your breath as you carefully lay a sheet of paper on top of the painted and textured gel plate. Gently smooth the paper down, making sure the paper absorbs all the artsy goodness.

Step 5: Peel and Repeat

Peel back the paper to reveal your one-of-a-kind gel print. Admire the chaos you've created and, if you're feeling brave, repeat the process with new colors and textures for even more artistic mayhem. If you don’t love what you see, keep printing!

Gelli printing is not just an art form; it's a playful journey into the world of monoprinting. So, grab your gel plate and let the creative chaos unfold. Remember, there are no mistakes in gel printing, only opportunities for more artistic mischief. Embrace the unexpected, revel in the mess, and let the gel printing shenanigans begin! Your artistic soul will thank you for it.