Some recent experiments on my new 12x14 inch gel plate. LOVING the larger size!

10x15 inch drawing paper from Daiso. Built up lots of layers using stencils and random mark-making, corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, packaging, etc. 

For this floral piece I used a small brush to add strokes of acrylic paint to the gel press and they started to resemble flowers so I went with that theme. Added many colours, waited until dry, then mixed a warm grey and applied with a brayer.

You may see some tearing at the edges. The paper became too moist with the paint and the humidity that day, and started to tear as I pulled. I waited until the paper had completely dried out (40+ minutes) and was then able to successfully remove it without further damage. 

I really like the pearlescent paint (Pebeo Glossy Acrylic Acryl Color in Pearl White). I bought it at Officeworks several years ago. It has worked very well for me with gel printing - both with painting directly onto the plate and using a brayer.

Experimenting with colour and textures on A4 copy paper. Top right texture is paper towel. The polka dots are from the base of a plastic cheese packet!

Used a handmade stencil on watercolour paper.

Another experiment with layering the handmade stencil and other textures on A4 copy paper. I like the lines created with corrugated cardboard. 

Some of the materials I’ve used:

12x14 inch Gel Press - from Amazon

Bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, cheese packaging (Deli Slices cheese from Aldi)

10x15 inch Drawing Paper from Daiso

Speedball brayer

Inexpensive acrylic paints:

Blue box - from Officeworks

Red box - from Aldi

Yellow box - from Kmart

Mont Marte Fluoro Acrylic - from a local discount shop 

(These are Australian stores)