Playing with my new Gelli Plate

I've been reading about this new gel printing place everywhere on blogs, but as it was something that, as it seemed, was only available in the States, at the moment, I decided to just ignore it. But it was a MONO PRINTING plate, and printing is something I've longed to do for ages, but without much success to put into practise (the printing workshop I signed up for last year was cancelled, probably because of lack of interest). So I couldn't resist for long, and finally ordered one. And I've been longing to try it out - and completely forgot about it last weekend, as I was too busy painting my easter eggs!

Today I finally sat down with my plate to try it out. The planned decluttering for today just had to wait for a bit. I looked for some tutorials on YouTube first to get an idea of how to get started, and found a whole number of useful videos. This introduction by Roben-Marie Smith I found quite useful:

Carolyn Dube of A Colourful Journey has a whole range of tutorials on  YouTube. She's also running a Gelli printing workshop, which starts soon and which I'm sure will be very inspiring.

Here's a few more useful and inspiring links that help to get you started: Gelli Arts on YouTube, mybasketofscraps, artistcellar, Jane Davis. And here's even a tutorial of how to make your own alternative printing plate, if you can't get an original one, by Jennibellie.

Getting everything ready. A virgin gel plate, ready to be messed around with.

The first print. Room for improvement...

Adding another layer makes an improvement, and that's where I should have left it. But I added some more layers, after which some of the first details were lost. But that's the fun with this plate. It's so quick and easy, that you can just keep printing, trying out what works, and what doesn't, and finding out which techniques you prefer.

I kept experimenting all morning, producing a whole pile of sheets, playing with colours and layers, and different stamps.

Here I used a rubber stamp with leaves, which I had carved myself some time ago.

I especially like these two, the colours, and the layers and textures.

Linking up to the wonderful and inspiring Paint Party Friday. 

Have a terrific Easter Weekend!

Linking this also to Carolyn Dube's Gelli Print Party, a great place to share your prints and projects.