Print Your Drawings: Turn Charcoal & Pastels Into Layered Mixed Media Gelli Prints

Create Stunning Autumn Prints: A Gelli Plate & Drawing Workshop

Bring the beauty of fall into your art with this engaging workshop! Learn to create beautiful, layered mixed media prints inspired by autumn leaves, blending the expressive qualities of charcoal and pastel sketches with the unique textures of Gelli plate printing.

This class teaches you a simple, smudge-free transfer process that transforms your drawings into permanent prints. Unlock a world of creative possibilities by combining textures, colors, and additional marks – techniques not easily achievable in original drawings.

Key Skills You'll Master:

• Drawing Techniques: Explore easy drawing methods using charcoal, soft pastels, and pencils – from freehand sketching and tracing to unique frottage (rubbings).
• Gelli Plate Printing: Discover classic Gelli plate techniques for creating positive and negative leaf shapes, adding interesting textures, and layering vibrant colors.
• Mixed Media Integration: Learn how to seamlessly combine drawing and printmaking to build cohesive and expressive artwork.
• Artwork Reuse: Transform a single drawing into a series of variations – including positive/negative prints, textured backgrounds, and outlines – maximizing your creative potential.
• Permanent Prints: Transfer your fragile sketches onto durable prints using acrylic paint or acrylic medium, ready for layering, painting over, or repurposing.

Who is this class for?

• Gelli plate printers looking to incorporate hand-drawn elements.
• Mixed media artists seeking to blend drawing and painting.
• Art journalers who enjoy repeating motifs and textures.
• Beginners who love to draw and want a fresh approach to printmaking.

What You'll Learn:

• Preserve your drawings: Convert smudgy sketches into lasting prints.
• Explore mixed media: Combine wet and dry media for exciting layered effects.
• Create cohesive series: Reuse artwork to build a unified collection.

Materials Needed: (Printable list available in "Projects & Resources")

• Gelli plate (any size)
• Acrylic paint (your choice of colors)
• Acrylic medium
• Brayer
• Drawing tools: Charcoal, soft pastels, 4B+ pencils, conté, or pastel pencils
• Smooth paper: Copy, Bristol, or printmaking paper
• Motifs: Real leaves, leaf printouts, or your own leaf sketches
• Textured items: Bubble wrap, lace, stencils, etc.
• Scrap paper for rolling off paint
• Wet rag, baby wipes, or packaging tape for cleanup
• Mineral or baby oil to remove pastel/charcoal residue

Transform your simple sketches into captivating, permanent prints inspired by the colors of autumn! Join us and discover a new way to express your creativity. – Cornelia –