To start the new year and kick my brain into some action I decided to mess about with acrylic inks and a gelli plate.

I started with monotype bases.

** Monotype definition: this is a one of a kind print that cannot be replicated in exactly the same manner although variations can be achieved by using the same colours and/or application method. A clean flat surface such as glass, perspex or gelatin plate is used as a matrix to work on. Paint or ink is applied with brushes, rollers (brayers) or other items (such as plant material or found objects) to the matrix and a print is pulled. Multiple layers and textures can be achieved with this method.

** Monoprint definition: this is a one of a kind print that forms part of a series. Each print varies but has some common element(s). Examples include differently inked collagraph plates or where chine collé is added to some, prints using repeatable stencils where their application varies, and such like.

Using a couple of rollers I lightly applied paints to the gelli plate surface before adding textures with bits of cardboard, indented foam, a metal circle, rubber spreader and water spray (which dissipated the paint beautifully).

The paints used in these was a mix of Golden Open, Matisse Flow and Atelier Interactive. All either stay open (i.e. wet and workable) for quite a few minutes or can be reactivated with water if they dry out.

The first set of overprinting was using dried plant material.

Both positive and negative images were achieved in some cases. See, in particular, the fern prints above.

I then moved to stencils which were used to create both positive and negative prints where appropriate.

I put them together in a simple Japanese stab-bound book.

I find gathering together samples of work from a particular print session, or exploration of techniques, into a book a useful exercise as I can easily flip through them when I’m looking for ideas or stimulation for future projects. Who wants to waste time sorting through drawers full of random disorganised pieces produced over long periods of time?