Hey, Peeps. I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful Gelli® Print Blog Hop. Thanks to Michelle Reynolds for the thought and execution! You rock!
So, I was trying to think of what I could do that hasn't been done. I actually did a different project- more of a mixed media assemblage- but I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do. So, being the true artist that I am, I abandoned that project half-way through and started something else. NO JUDGING!!!
And, I did have some forethought, so I started out with a lovely, sturdy mixed media paper. This is probably my fave to work with.
I wanted to play with something different. This is some inexpensive gouache.
A little dab'll do ya.
Gouache spreads differently on the plate than acrylic. I used a brayer, just as you use with acrylic paint.
As you can see, it leaves a much different, non-uniform look compared to acrylic paint. I kinda like it.
I also painted some yellow circles with gouache. I forgot to take an after pic of the print, but you'll see it later.
I also spread some red on with a credit card, just to see how it spread differently.
Here, I used my Sticked Hearts stencil.
You can see the yellow circles layered on the grey here.
I put the wet, red stencil on my waste paper and wiped it through the stencil with a baby wipe.
Here's the result. Like many Gelli® prints, the "waste" or "ghost" prints are often the most interesting.
I decided to re-position my heart stencil, and outline with my Stabilo black pencil, just for a different look.
I tried to smear the pencil (which is water soluble) with my water brush, but I had forgotten that I hadn't prepared my surface with gesso, which would have made the stabilo pencil mark smear better. Oh, well. I just discovered another technique, aka mistake.
Then I switched to acrylic paint for no particular reason.
Here, I used my Iron Gate stencil.
I stamped through the stencil before I printed. This works more effectively with an "open" stencil (aka not detailed), and with a darker paint than I used. I'M NOT PERFECT, PEEPS!
Here's the ghost leftovers on the plate.
And then I moved on to grey and yellow- my two new fave colors.
I printed using my Crowned Stencil.
And here's the print.
And the ghost print.
Next, I used my Faith Stencil. This is one of my faves since there's so much texture going on.
And, the print.
And, you always need to add a few hand-carved stamps. If you want to know more about making these, you can check my blog post here and my Pinterest board here.
Don't forget that for a different look, you can roll your stamps instead of just pressing them.
And then, there's nothing like a little splattering. I like using my fan brush with some watered down paint.
And, here's a print with some splatters.
And, there's nothing like some good ol' fashioned stenciling. Here, I used my Grunge number tag stencil and some blue paint for a little punch...
...and my Plain Circles Tag Stencil...
...and my Scruffy Crosses tag stencil.
Just some doodling with a NeocolorII crayon (water soluble)
And I think I'm ready to move on to the book.
You know these wonderful little coffee cup thingies? Well, they're going to become a cute little book.
I loved this particular one because of the dimpled texture. I tore it apart at the ends (it was conveniently serrated for me already). Then I applied gesso to the front and back of each piece.
I dried the gesso, watered down some paint, and brushed it on each side.
I wiped off some of the paint with a baby wipe, then I traced one side on the backs of my prints.
I cut out the shapes, slightly smaller than the coffee cozy.
Here are some "pages".
I eyeballed where I wanted my rings to be to bind the book.
Then I punched holes and inserted eyelets with my Cropodile. I did this just to the front and back pieces.
To emphasize the texture, I brushed on a little distress paint.
Since the backs of each page were white, I just applied some distress stain. I didn't want to have both sides of each page Gelli® printed because I wanted to leave room for journal entries or writing.
And, here are some of the spreads.
Of course, I had to junk the cover up a little, so I added a flower, some vintage buttons and beads, some pearl accents, and some burlap.
And, a little ribbon and a few more strung out beads.
And here's the final book.
And, just when you thought you've had all the fun you could have, there's more!
All you need to do is leave a comment about what you like about this tutorial or about the Gelli® Plate.
On Oct. 26 at 8PM (EST), I will yell into the other room, "HONEY! PICK A NUMBER BETWEEN _ AND _, and he will pick the winner. Yups, that's how I roll.
And, if you like my stencil designs, feel free to check out LOTS more in my Etsy shop here.
I hope you enjoyed this picture laden tutorial. Thanks for looking. And, if you haven't checked out all of the other blogs, I have them listed below. Happy printing!
Wednesday 15th Oct Michelle Reynolds http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com.au/Thursday 16th Oct Joanna Grant http://joannabananadesignoriginals.blogspot.comFriday 17th Oct Jacques Williamos http://theelevatorpress.wordpress.com/Saturday 18th Oct Linda Stokes http://www.lindastokes-textileartist.com/Sunday 19th Oct Phillippa Montier http://pipart71.weebly.comMonday 20th Oct Lauri Crowe http://www.laurijeancrowe.comTuesday 21st Oct Gail Schmidt http://www.shabbycottagestudio.netWednesday 22nd Oct Tami Sturm Howse http://www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com
