Tuesdays, October 13 & 20, 10 AM-2 PM

with Catherine Greenwood

Explore the potential of gelatin plates to create original artworks!

Did you know you can take your Gel plate out sketching? This flexible, reusable material is excellent for direct impressions of textures and creative mark making with non-traditional tools and color layering. The plates can be used over and over again by simply wiping off the surface and starting anew.

During this 2-day workshop via Zoom, participants will be introduced to the use of a gelatin-based printing plate (Gel or Geli plate) as a matrix to explore a variety of different mark making. After setting up and sharing our experience and being introduced to the possibilities of gel plate printing, we will have some fun experimenting! 

You will be encouraged to take your Gel plate outdoors and use it to print and sketch on with a limited palette and mark making tools, also making some charcoal drawings in your sketchbook. Please note that this is optional- if you wish you can draw in advance or sketch indoors. 

We will be using primarily the reduction method, plus using rags and paint brushes. (This method is only suitable for water based printing ink.) This location can be on your back doorstep, in your yard or on a short walk. Returning to a studio set up, we will explore the potential of the fresh imagery you have made with stencils and layering.

Beginning printmakers will have fun making multi-layered images exploring texture and inventive mark making. More experienced artists will find ways to use gel plates to incorporate into more developed work such as printing onto thin card will allow the prints to be used with more versatility for example as a book jacket, simple sculpture or into a box.

Students will be encouraged to work on their gel plates during the week between classes and to get immediate feedback from the instructor and other workshop participants.

Materials to gather in advance of the workshop:

• Gelatin plate- Brands Gelli Arts, Gel Elf,
• Smooth papers, newsprint, copier paper, thin card (200/250g Bristol board)
• inks (Akua /water based printing ink- range of colours plus extender,) good quality Acrylic paint – Golden, Amsterdam
• Bamboo baren or spoon
• Texture items such as leaves, lace, bubble wrap, soft plastic.
• Soft Charcoal
• misc. tools such as rubber tipped makeup brushes.
• Wet wipes (bio degradable)
• Dish soap
• Baby oil

A full supply list will be provided upon registration.

About the Instructor

Catherine Greenwood is a member of Wilderness Art Collective whose aim is to connect with nature through art. She exhibits internationally as well as US & UK; most recently as part of Trinity Buoy wharf drawing prize which currently tours UK 2025. Catherine lives in Sussex UK, has a studio with an etching press in her garden cabin, she teaches in London, travelling to connect with other printmakers whenever possible!

Online workshops are offered on a sliding scale. Please pay what you can.