Monoprint without a Press: using a gel plate and acrylic ink
Over six sessions we will use a gel plate and acrylic paint to create amazing monoprints without a press. It’s a brilliant way to make art prints and also to produce collage papers and backgrounds that can be developed further. We’ll explore mark making on the plate, creating and using masks and stencils, wax resist, texturing, overlaying colours etc.
You will need your own gel plate and brayer. Scroll down for full info on materials and equipment to bring. Direct any questions on materials to [email protected]
A gel plate is a rather squishy reusable printing plate used to create monoprints. These plates are usually made of a durable polymer material containing mineral oil, and mimic traditional gelatin plates but are much more resilient.
Susan McCreevy gives an excellent blog and video introducing some basic ways to use a gel plate.
You will need to bring;
6 x 6 inch or 10 x 8 inch gel plate (Gelli Arts or Gel Press are recommended brands)
Don’t buy a Speedball plate as these need to be used with water soluble printing inks.
Rubber Brayer (roller): 4 inch or 6 inch, preferably soft rubber but either is OK
A few acrylic paints to include black and white plus about 4 other colours including at least two transparent or semi-transparent colours e.g. phthalo green, crimson alizarin
Slow dry medium
Matte medium or matte gel medium
Two paint brushes; mark making tools not sharp (cork, plastic comb, old plastic card etc.)
A few textured surfaces/objects for impressing (bubble wrap, Lego, string, elastic bands,)
Spray bottle; wide plastic water pot (eg 300g cottage cheese container or similar)
Larger plastic container (ice cream box 2litre size) (useful for brayer cleaning and transport)
Lint free cloth (Jeye cloth or similar); baby wipes or baby oil; paper towel
Junk paper to clean off roller on (magazine pages etc); masking tape
Table protector (for printing and roller area)
Paper: We’ll be making a lot of prints initially so bring a quantity of inexpensive copier paper.
After that you will need smooth A4 cartridge or drawing paper; tissue paper or deli paper,
Other papers that work well are card stock, Bristol paper (this is very smooth), hot pressed watercolour paper and printmaking papers. Some papers will be available from the tutor at cost. Papers that don’t work are rough watercolour paper and other textured papers.
Tues 15 Sept - 27 Oct, exc 6 Oct (6 weeks)
12.30pm - 3.30pm
£138
All ticket transactions are subject to a £1.90 booking fee. As part of their benefits, Norden Farm Silver and Gold Members do not pay this fee. Find out more about Membership here.
