Tools for masking, mark making and subtractive method such as rubber stamps, ribbon, string, cut-out shapes, cotton swabs or anything you can think of

Cleaning Supplies: baby wipes (before and after); soap and water

Work Surface: Polyester Film Table Cover (easy clean up)

PREPARATION

Cut paper to size for prints: 9”x12”
Cut or find shapes to use for masking

PROCESS

Place Gelli Arts plate on clean, even surface
Scoop out ink with palette knife onto inking plate/palette paper
Line of ink should be the about same length as brayer
Roll out ink evenly — should make a tacky/zippy sound with an orange peel texture
Ink Gelli Arts gel plate — Apply a couple of even coats
Design!
a) Use cotton swab to remove areas of ink from plate for your design
b) Add other elements to mask out areas in design
Make sure hands and working surface are clean!
Place print paper gently on top of plate
Hold paper down with hand and burnish with the other
a) Rub evenly in a circular motion with barren or burnisher over the entire piece
b) Hold paper firmly down near center of the piece — will prevent paper from slipping
Hold one side of paper down while lifting an edge to check density of ink
May burnish again to make image darker
Gently lift away from plate from one end of paper
You can opt to print a ghost print before cleaning plate — these are great! TRY IT!
Clean plate with baby wipe
Ink with 2nd color if desired and add elements, shapes or remove color in areas
a) Take print and carefully register print #1 on top of plate and burnish
Repeat steps for third color if desired
Hang to dry — can use newsprint to blot ink (helps in drying process with AKUA inks)
Don’t forget to sign your artwork!

Visit Gelli Arts website for more lesson plans and videos