Layered Landscapes : Painting with a Gel Plate
Let your curiosity guide you.
Follow along as I guide you through layering techniques to create your own landscape paintings. Put your paintbrushes aside! While using a gel plate and a brayer, you’ll discover new ways to apply paint to your paper. Let the gel plate surprise you as your paint colors dance together in unexpected ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course ok for beginner artists?
Yes! I have even used gel plates with elementary aged students! Part of what I love about the gel plate is that it seems less intimidating than trying to paint with just a brush on paper or canvas. Oftentimes, the outcome of a print is surprising and adds texture or interest that you can’t always plan. This helps to loosen us up and enjoy the painting process even more!
Is a gel plate required for this course?
Yes. Each lesson in this course includes a gel plate. There are two companies I recommend for your gel plate… Gelli Arts or Gel Press. I recommend starting with a 6x6” or 8x10” gel plate. But, feel free to purchase any size that sounds fun for you in this course.
How long do I have access to this course?
You will have unlimited access to this course. I do not have an end date scheduled.
Can we sell the art we make during the course?
Any art that you create in the exact image as another artist should not be sold as your own. However, if you are using the techniques you learn in this course and using your own reference images, that is your own original artwork, which would be safe to sell.
What lessons will I find in the course?
In the beginning I start with a welcome and discussion about the recommended supplies. I will then show you everything from how to open, clean, and properly care for your gel plate. Then we jump into a warm up / play lesson where we experiment with our gel plate and a variety of paints and texture making materials. You will be ready to move into your landscape lessons after that! I demonstrate two landscapes from start to finish with acrylic paint. During those lessons, I explain each step as I’m working. Then there is one “speed session” where I show you how to make three more landscapes. The speed session is a sped up video with music. After that I have a “finish & framing” lesson where I briefly show you how I complete and display my landscape paintings.
Two BONUS lessons are added at the end of the course. First, a “paper test & swatch” lesson where I show you my process of doing paper testing and color swatches with my gel plate. Second (and honestly one of my favorites!) I show you how I created two landscapes with watercolor paint and my gel plate. It’s totally different and such a fun bonus lesson. I hope you try it!
How much is the course?
The course is $25.
Move over, brushes.
I rarely use a brush in this course. The focus is with a gel plate, a brayer, and sometimes a palette knife. (No palette knife? no problem! Grab an expired gift card or credit card.) I will go over all of the supplies I use in more detail inside the course. Come join me!
Supply Basics.
Brayer.
I purchased a set of two brayers on Amazon that I love. I like having two different sizes for a few reasons. One will work just fine if that’s all you have!
Gel Plate.
There are two gel plate companies I recommend: Gelli Arts or Gel Press. Feel free to start with any size plate. However, I find the 6x6” plate is a great place to start.
Paint.
I use a WIDE variety of acrylic paints in this course. You can use anything form craft paint to high quality soft body acrylics. Again, use what you have on hand or take this as an opportunity to splurge on something new. It’s up to you!