Saturdays, January 6 - 20 from 1 to 5 P.M.

Printmaking using a gel plate offers a multitude of options for combining materials and techniques to achieve distinctive results and varied subject matter. Get even more out of your plate going beyond making patterns and impressions to drawing and painting on the plate to create prints with specific imagery. Learn simple techniques for transferring images to the plate for printing, layering, masking and brushwork, as well as techniques for collaging into prints. No drawing skills are necessary, but use of personal sketches, drawings of any subject, or other source material is welcome and encouraged.

Overview of Workshop

• Level: Some experience with acrylic or watercolor painting

• $240

Week-By-Week Overview

• Week 1

  • General Information

  • Overview of gel plate printing techniques and terminology

  • Paints, inks and gels

  • Types of papers for printing

  • Brayers, barrens and other tools

  • Preparing to print

  • Registration

  • Cleaning and care of the gel plate

  • Making background prints

  • Stencils, masks and methods for making patterns and layering on prints

• Week 2 – Image transfers and

  • Image transfers with magazines and book pages

  • Making collagraph and printing plates

  • Faux chine colle’

• Week 3 – Drawing and painting on the plate

  • Painting on the plate using acrylics

  • Resist techniques using pastels, china markers and charcoals

  • Basic approaches and techniques for collaging with prints

SUPPLIES

• Student List

  • 8”x10” (or larger if desired) gel plate (Gel Press or Gelli Arts brand)

  • Assortment of acrylic paints, including black and white (tube or bottle—mid-range brands such as Liquitex Basics, Amsterdam, Sargent, DecoArt or Artist Loft are good)

  • Pad of 8”x10” or 9”x12” 140 lb. watercolor paper

  • Scissors

  • Pencil

  • 4” or 5” soft rubber brayer

  • Assortment of 4-6 brushes, including round and flat in different sizes, including one 1”-2” flat brush (packs of assorted brushes from Michael’s or other art supply store are a good choice)

  • Optional – personal gel plate

• Provided by Instructor ($10 materials fee per student)

  • Additional papers for printing

  • Additional paints, inks

  • Acrylic mediums and gel

  • Stamps, stencils and misc. tools and equipment

  • Misc. collage materials

  • Images for transfers