Warning: Gelli printmaking is highly addictive!

The trending form of printmaking with a gelatin printing plate is for - the where do I start beginner to advanced artists who want to add something different to their mixed-media work.  You will gain an understanding of printmaking basics such as layering, mark-making, and composition throughout the course.  We will create many one-of-a kind prints using a variety of paint mediums and papers.  Working with stencils, masks, everyday household objects and items found in nature, the outcome of each print is endless.  At the end of the course, you will have a stack of prints that can be used as finished artwork, collage paper or for unique craft projects.

Nancy has the mindset that mistakes will happen and it’s okay to see and accept the imperfections of being one-of-a-kind.   An underwhelming result can end up being your favorite print.  Paper is repurposed for reprinting, cutting and collage.   Class atmosphere is to have fun and build confidence.

Supply List:

If you buy from DickBlick.com they will have better prices than Michaels and they give free shipping over a certain dollar amount.


Supplies for this class:

 *   8x10” GelliArts (www.gelliarts.com) Gelatin Printing Plate (Larger sizes are available, but I suggest this size to get       you started.

 *   Acrylic paint - there are many brands of paint, but I find that Liquitex Basics (https://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-basics-acrylic-colors) vis a great starter paint.  They are affordable and a great value for the amount of paint you will use. You can get more colors, but to start you only need Red, Blue, Yellow, White & Black

 *   Brayer - a brayer is a rubber paint roller made for printmaking.  Speedball (https://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-soft-rubber-brayers/) makes a 4” brayer, perfect for our 8x10 gelli plate.

 *   Paper: I used Bristol (https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-300-series-bristol-board-pads/) smooth paper pads, Fabriano (https://www.dickblick.com/items/fabriano-studio-watercolor-pad-9-x-12-300-gsm-hot-press-50-sheets-/) hot press watercolor paper, wax paper (deli sheets) and rice (https://www.dickblick.com/items/yasutomo-rice-paper-pad-9-12-x-13-100-sheets/) paper.  I will supply the wax and rice paper for classroom use only.

 *   Stencils, found objects to make textures with, such as:  bubble wrap, mesh bags from produce, caps from bottles, combs, rubber-bands, etc.  No sharp objects.

 *   Other items needed:  soft rag, Wet Ones Hand Wipes (https://www.target.com/p/wet-ones-antibacterial-hand-wipes-travel-pack-fresh-scent-20ct/-/A-15045578#lnk=sametab) (to clean printing plate), artist tape (https://www.dickblick.com/products/artist-tape/) or masking tape that pulls off without tearing, piece of scrap cardboard roughly 16x20” and some old paintbrushes.

*** You don’t need to purchase all of the items listed.  The most important are the GelliArts printing plate, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, a brayer, and paper.  If you haven’t used a gelatin printing plate before, purchase a ream of smooth white card stock to start.  You can always build up to the better paper once you feel comfortable with the process.


Please Note:  Different papers give different results. Craft paints do not give good results which is why I suggest the Liquitex Basics acrylic paint for students.  If you don’t want to invest in your own plate, I will have small 5x5” student-grade plates to use until you fall in love with gelli printing.


Artist Bio:
Nancy has degrees in both marketing and graphic design.  When she started a family she became interested in mixed-media art.  When her children started school, she began classes at Perkins, Moorestown.  A decade and hundreds of prints later, she had her first solo show at Perkins, Collingswood in December, 2022.

Most of Nancy’s work starts with a monotype which is intuitively brought to a painterly place by using a variety of acrylic mediums and methods. A surprise awaits as the paper is pulled from the printing plate. Nancy’s imagination is ignited by the abstract/organic shapes seen in the rich textural layers she creates with simple everyday objects.  Abstract figures with a touch of whimsy have been her latest focus.  There are so many directions that one can go with gelli printing that Nancy finds it difficult to come to a stopping point.  Running out of paper usually does it.

Because the printing plate is made of a gelatin-like substance, it gives slight movement and interest around the edges of each print. Here is where the past collides with the present - inviting the viewer to look closer to see and accept the imperfections of being one-of-a-kind.

****I am requesting that students refrain from wearing perfume or using oil-based paints due to my asthma.

My website is NLHartyArt.com  and social media sites are all @NL Harty Art