28 December 2011

gelli arts gel printing plate - a review


Today was designated as a play day in the studio. My friend and talented toy maker Kate came over and we visited and messed about with fabric and paint. Kate busied herself with some thermofax screen printing, plotting away at the things she could do with it (clothing and accessories for her little friends were on the list).

I took the opportunity to experiment with a new product I picked up a couple of weeks ago, the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate. (This post is pretty photo heavy.)

Its intended to monoprint fabric and paper without the fuss of having to make the gelatin plate first. Which is a grand thing because your's truly is handicapped when it comes to making the gelatin plates -  don't ask, no idea why it never wants to set up for me.

I have to be honest, I went into the experiment with trepidation. I've never really been super excited about the results that I get from this kind of surface design. I fully understand that its more to do with how I'm executing it then the process itself. So I decided to give today's trial my level best to find a way that I can learn to love it.

The plate that I got was 8" x 10". The reason I say was is because its now 8" x 8". I much prefer squares to rectangles so I hacked an inch off both ends. (Taking 1" off each end as opposed to 2" off one end meant that I eliminated the rounded corners on both sides to get a truer square.) I can without reservation say that this product is really really well constructed. Me and xacto knife had to put our best foot forward.

(As a side note, this thing smells really nice. Its kind of weird. But it smells very pleasant, like spices. And it wasn't just me - I made Kate sniff it and she agreed.)

Here is what the plate looked like after I adjusted the size:



I read the insert that came with it and took note of the fact that it says it doesn't like dyes. But I was curious to see how it would handle very fluid paint like dye-na-flow and something with a chemical kick like decolourant.

I cut a hunk off the one inch strips and tested both things out:


The plate held up like a champ. Didn't mind either one. (And for the record, I let the decolourant sit on it for a good ten minutes before I wiped it off to see if it had eaten a hole in the gel. It hadn't. Made me happy.)

I decided to use a hunk of this fabric from when I beat up the crab apples that were in my backyard:



One of the things I've struggled with when it comes to gelatin plate printing is getting patterns down on the plate that I like. I decided to see if a thermofax screen print could help me along the way. I put the screen over top of the plate and printed just like I would if there was fabric beneath it:



Then I splattered some chartreuse dye-na-flow over top:



I got this:



Has some promise. I gave it another go with Jacquard paint and more dye-na-flow. This time I used a palette knife (gently since the instruction sheet says that the surface is easily nicked) and mushed the two about.

It produced a strange, kind of unexpected effect where the two blended together:




 
I got this:
 

And just a quick note about the dye-na-flow - since its so fluid it soaks clear through the fabric. (Duh, right?) Be smarter then me and plan accordingly when you are printing the fabric. I recommend a second piece of fabric over top of the one you're printing or paper towel. My hands are not exactly their normal color at the moment.

The third print was with the decolourant applied (gently) with a palette knife and I got this:



 


I'm most excited about that one! See those little bubbly patterns? That's unique to the plate since it allows me to move the medium around like I never could directly on the fabric. Super cool, if you ask me.

While I was not unhappy with the other two prints I got, I decided that they needed more layers. I think the biggest mistake I've made with this kind of printing in the past has been expecting it to be a final product. Not so. Its a wonderful beginning but you really need to move beyond it if you want a more complex print. Whether that is another monoprint from the plate or application of paint through another process, its an important thing to remember.

I took the sewing machine and Martha Stewart paint (with the fine tip attachment on the bottle) to the first print and ended up with this:






For the second print, I used a small chunk of the plate that I cut off at the beginning as a mini plate to stamp squares in white across the print:





I think I might have gone too far, though, when I put the orange circle on at the end:







This print may end up going into the "please help me, i'm ugly" pile of fabric. Not sure yet.

All in all, I can say that I really like the plate. There are good videos on the Gelli Art website that show the basic ways of printing with it. I really encourage you to go beyond it and see how you can push it to get the prints you really want.

Happy printing! :)

16 comments:

roxanestoner said...

I actualy LOVE it!. Don't put it in the Ugly Pile, please.

Gerrie said...

Hmmm! I have resisted this. One thing I like about real gelatin prints is the way it deconstructs as you work with it giving serendipitous results. This seems more controlled.

Unknown said...

cool experimenting Lynn, I never would have thought about cutting up the plate. I really like how the decolourant print came out.

MarveLes Art Studios said...

I'm glad to read your about your experimenting with this plate. I've had mine for several months, and just ... so not sure of what to do, so it's nice to see your exact combos and results. Thanks!

Cynthia St Charles said...

I do a lot of Gelatin plate printing and have contemplated getting one of these. The thing that stops me is the size. Too small. I like to work bigger, and a lot of little ones will not be a good substitute for my process. Thanks for sharing.

Fibra Artysta said...

I agree Cynthia, a larger plate would be really useful. I'd love to have one of those too.

Lynda said...

Lynn, Thanks for your samples using the Gelli plate. I've played with mine but haven't had a chance yet to blog about it. You've given me some additional ideas to try. Thanks.

Gisela Towner said...

Very cool Lynn!
I bought a Gelli when Flockshop had them cheap, but haven't had time to play. Can't wait to get at it now.

I just found my last real gelatin plate when I was trying to make room for Xmas food. It had completely dried out and shriveled up into a most unusual thing...
Oops! :)

Nancy Kelley said...

Great post Lynn! Absolutely love that you 'experimented' with the plate... glad it worked out so well. This is the first Gelli post I've ever read that included an 'exacto knife' reference :) Thanks for sharing your cool prints and techniques. Looks like you sparked some others into getting their Gelli plates out soon too - thanks a ton!
Nancy Kelley
Gelli Arts

Lisa said...

great blog post! I do love how your prints came out. I agree, the second layers you put on made the fabric! thanks for the review :-)

Joan Bess said...

Thanks for sharing your fabulous experiments and results, Lynn! I haven't tried decolourant yet, but LOVE your success with it! And now I can't wait to use thermofax screens on the gel plate! Great ideas! Great photos! Inspiring!

HollyM said...

I have the plate and have used it a few times but I've not gotten as creative as you.
I'm particularly interested in the decolorant on the plate. I haven't tired that.
I wouldn't get rid of the last one either. At some point it will inspire you. I like it with the circle broken up as in your photo.

Mary said...

WOW Does it get any more fun then that!? Really enjoyed your post.
Looks like a fun tool to have at hand.

Pam Lowe said...

Looks like great fun, Lynn! I am glad there is hope using dyes with it - that has held me back from experimenting with this product . I only print occasionally, but this plate would make that Much easier to get going. Looking forward to your upcoming recharge zone! Pam

Valerie Vavrik said...

Just found that it is on Amazon now. Yahoo! I can use my credit there.

Melly Testa said...

I just searched Gelli Arts Smell and your site came up first. I don't like the smell at all. It smells like petroleum products to me, like my dad used to smell when he came home from the railroad. I tried to air it our, and it does not seem to leave. Very odd. Glad you like the smell.