Get ready to spill the Gelli beans—because this isn’t your usual printmaking class! The Gelli plate is bursting with creative potential, and in this two-day, hands-on workshop we’ll explore its quirks, surprises, and painterly magic from every angle. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned gel-printer, you’ll find fresh techniques, original ideas, and a renewed sense of creative play.
Day One: Building the Foundation
We’ll begin by building a rich collection of uniquely textured prints—lush, layered backgrounds that hum with color and complexity. You’ll explore unexpected texture techniques original to my process, painterly multilayered backgrounds, and printing with unusual textures. These prints will become the groundwork for the following day’s image-making explorations.
Day Two: Layer, Reveal, Transform
On day two, we’ll move from background to image, layering intention over spontaneity. You’ll learn photocopy image transfers using my proven step-by-step approach that takes this tricky process from frustration to exciting, beautiful results. We’ll build on that with image-based explorations that include reverse painting, pressure embossing, and the inventive use of drawing materials like pencils and pastels to create prints that feel alive—each one a conversation between chance and choice.
No drawing experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Along the way, I’ll share demonstrations, tips, and creative guidance to help you build confidence and find your unique rhythm.
Throughout both days, I’ll demo, guide, and cheer you on as you experiment. Even if you’ve been printing for years, I promise there will be techniques and approaches you haven’t tried—and they might just change the way you see your Gelli plate.
Materials Fee $20 paid at beginning of class includes:
Mixed media paper
Amsterdam black acrylic specifically for photocopy transfers
Amsterdam white acrylic
Laser print copies I will check in closer to class to gather personal images that you want to transfer.
Tracing paper
Pencils
Charcoal
Mineral oil
Gloves
Stencils
Texture tools
Printer paper
Extra images
Extra paint
Pens
Padding
Supplies Needed to bring for Class:
Two Gelli plates ( if you have more than 2 please bring extras ) we will be letting one technique dry on the plate while moving on with the 2nd plate
An assortment of acrylic paints in your favorite color palette. (I prefer Amsterdam acrylics. But feel free to bring other brands to experiment with.
Brayer if you have more than one bring an extra
An assortment of acrylic pens ( I prefer Posca) make sure to include a black
4-6 images of your choice printed on cardstock sized to your Gelli plates (inkjet is fine, we are not using these for transfers). Images without a lot of fine details will perform better.
An assortment of paint brushes
A small box of cheap pastels
Matte Gel Medium Wet wipes
To pre-order supplies, click on this link for Cobblestone Creek Studios.