Gel Plate Printing

An inspiring guide to creating beautiful art through gel plate printing, collage and painting.

Susan McCreevy works from her studio in Wasp's Creative Academy in Inverness. After receiving a BA in Textile Design & Printmaking she had a successful career in London as a freelance textile designer and Visual Merchandiser at Habitat. Susan's work has been featured in several exhibitions and her online courses attract an international audience.

Chapter 1: Abstract Foundations: Creating a Dynamic Abstract Background Layer Gather the necessary supplies. Experiment with various brushes and mark-making tools and collage to create a loose abstract base layer on mountboard. Explore the use of household objects and stencils with the gelli plate to add intriguing textures and patterns to your abstract backgrounds. Chapter 2: The Art of Botanical Printing: Mastering Layering Techniques and Leaf Prints Collect an assortment of plants for printing purposes. Discover the principles of colour harmony and complementary colours. Learn how to create stunning layered botanical prints. Chapter 3: Exploring Papers: Unleashing Creativity with Wet Strength Tissue and Clever Layering Techniques Develop intricate leaf and flower prints with fine details. Gain insights into the versatility of gel medium and transparency effects. Combine your botanical prints with the abstract backgrounds on wet strength tissue paper to create unique and visually striking compositions. Chapter 4: Collagraph Magic: Adding Depth and Complexity to Your Prints Design collagraph plates inspired by botanical themes. Acquire the skills needed to print with collagraph plates, exploring the depth and texture they bring to your artwork. Chapter 5: Captivating Details: Incorporating Collagraph Prints and Hand-drawn Elements to Create a Finished Work of Art Utilize a viewfinder to uncover compelling compositions within your larger abstract background painting. Master the technique of cutting thinner papers with precision. Enhance your artwork with collage, adding depth and tonal variation. Explore the use of paint pens to incorporate line-drawn elements into your finished artwork. Chapter 6: Professional Presentation: Mounting Prints on Wooden Cradleboards Learn about suitable glues for different substrates. Discover effective methods to seal collage pieces. Protect your paintings with UV Mat Varnish. Achieve a polished look by finishing the sides of your artwork on a wooden cradleboard. Chapter 7: Creative Delights with Bookmarks Utilize a bookmark template viewfinder to identify captivating sections within your paintings. Experiment with stencils to add layers and create unique designs on your bookmarks.