An inspiring guide to creating beautiful art through gel plate printing, collage and painting. Embark on a journey into the addictive world of gel plate printing and explore the endless creative possibilities that this form of monoprinting offers with experienced mixed media artist Susan McCreevy as your guide. Without the need to be in a printmaker''s studio the reusable gel plates allow you to print without a press using easy-to-source materials such as stencils, household objects, flowers and leaves. Six nature-inspired, beginner-friendly projects take you beyond simple prints and patterns as you discover striking new techniques for image transfer. Through clever layering techniques, with a focus on creating beautiful botanical artwork, Susan demonstrates how to create dynamic abstract background prints with depth and complexity using collagraphs and hand-drawn elements. Other projects will invite you to explore mixed media ideas through stitching, creating a 3D concertina book and a beautiful handmade art journal. You will also learn how to protect and present your work professionally. With stunning photography of both Susan''s work and that of 5 contemporary artists, alongside clear step-by-step instructions, you will soon be making prints that will help you explore, experiment and create something truly your own.

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Susan McCreevy

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Chapter 1: Abstract Foundations: Creating a Dynamic Abstract Background Layer
Gather the necessary supplies.
Experiment with various brushes and mark-making tools and collage to create a loose abstract base layer on mountboard.
Explore the use of household objects and stencils with the gelli plate to add intriguing textures and patterns to your abstract backgrounds.

Chapter 2: The Art of Botanical Printing: Mastering Layering Techniques and Leaf Prints
Collect an assortment of plants for printing purposes.
Discover the principles of colour harmony and complementary colours.
Learn how to create stunning layered botanical prints.

Chapter 3: Exploring Papers: Unleashing Creativity with Wet Strength Tissue and Clever Layering Techniques
Develop intricate leaf and flower prints with fine details.
Gain insights into the versatility of gel medium and transparency effects.
Combine your botanical prints with the abstract backgrounds on wet strength tissue paper to create unique and visually striking compositions.

Chapter 4: Collagraph Magic: Adding Depth and Complexity to Your Prints
Design collagraph plates inspired by botanical themes.
Acquire the skills needed to print with collagraph plates, exploring the depth and texture they bring to your artwork.

Chapter 5: Captivating Details: Incorporating Collagraph Prints and Hand-drawn Elements to Create a Finished Work of Art
Utilize a viewfinder to uncover compelling compositions within your larger abstract background painting.
Master the technique of cutting thinner papers with precision.
Enhance your artwork with collage, adding depth and tonal variation.
Explore the use of paint pens to incorporate line-drawn elements into your finished artwork.

Chapter 6: Professional Presentation: Mounting Prints on Wooden Cradleboards
Learn about suitable glues for different substrates.
Discover effective methods to seal collage pieces.
Protect your paintings with UV Mat Varnish.
Achieve a polished look by finishing the sides of your artwork on a wooden cradleboard.

Chapter 7: Creative Delights with Bookmarks
Utilize a bookmark template viewfinder to identify captivating sections within your paintings.
Experiment with stencils to add layers and create unique designs on your bookmarks.