Gelli plate printmaking - Introduction and Botanical Patchwork
 
In this creative workshop you will learn the basics of printing simple monotypes (individual unique prints) using a gelli plate, brayer/roller and acrylic paints. It is an ideal opportunity for beginners to learn this wonderful printing method, but is also suitable for those who want to extend their skills and confidence. No drawing skills are necessary for this process or workshop. Just your imagination!
 
In this particualar workshop you will begin by learning a number of different techniques to print colouful textured and patterned papers and tissue. You will then use some of these as backgrounds when you progress into printing direct from natural flowers, leaves and grasses. which you will then select, cut and collage into one or more artworks on paper.
 
• 09.50 Welcome, with coffee/tea and biscuits.
• 10.00 Start.
• 12.30 Lunch break of approx 30 -40 mins.
• 15.45 Finish.
 
We will start with a basic introduction to tools and techniques and a demonstration to give you an overview of the potential creative fun and flexibility of this wonderful method of mono printing. I will have plenty of examples on hand for reference and inspiration.
 
We will discuss colour combinations, your colour selectionand I will guide you on how to mix paint colours directly onto the gel plate.
 
Once you have built a collection of printed botanical papers, I will show you how to recognise and extend the potential of some of your papers by gluing and layering the translucent printed tissue prints with the ones on paper. You will then begin cropping, cutting out sections with scissors or scalpel and assembling them to begin creating your own collage or botanical patchwork artwork.. This simple collage is a great way to showcase a variety of different prints as one or more separate artworks and a great way to create your own handmade cards.
 
A NOTE ABOUT BRINGING YOUR OWN NATURAL BOTANICALS: For this workshop I will also be bringing plenty of botanicals. However if you world like to bring some of your own flowers, leaves, ferns or Grasses etc from you own garden to experiment with, you are more than welcome to. Pick them with stems, keep them in water and then wrapped in moist material to help them to stay fresh. You can then remove sections, leaves or 'bits' etc. as you need them for printing.
 
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: I provide a folder and envelopes to take all your work home, so please don't feel pressured to complete all of the cutting and gluing of the collage on the day. You may just want to keep printing! The gelli plate lends itself to creative play and experimentation and it is this relaxed and spontaneous approach that often leads to the happiest and most unexpected results. You will discover the prints themselves often ’tell you’ how they want to be used!