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What happens when you add drops of alcohol inks on a gel plate? Fun and colorful prints! I’ve got a step-by-step video including how making 1 little change impacts what the final print looks like!

Add your alcohol inks onto the gel plate. I love using Marabu inks for this because they are so vibrant and have a bottle that makes sprinkling the color on there so easy.

Tutorial using alcohol inks on a gel plate by Carolyn Dube #gelprinting

Let the alcohol inks dry somewhat and then add fluid white paint.

Tutorial using alcohol inks on a gel plate by Carolyn Dube #gelprinting

For comparison, here’s the 2nd print where the alcohol ink wasn’t as dry as the first print. That plays a big role in what the print looks like. You can see how the inks are already mixing with the white paint even before brayering.

Tutorial using alcohol inks on a gel plate by Carolyn Dube #gelprinting

Here’s a close up of the detail captured in the print.

Tutorial using alcohol inks on a gel plate by Carolyn Dube #gelprinting

Below are the 2 prints side-by-side. The print where the alcohol inks had more time to dry has more of the drops showing. The print on the right has a dreamier look because the alcohol inks were still pretty wet when the paint was added.

This is just one of the many techniques you do with a gel plate. If you like having it broken down for you step-by-step, if you like understanding what little changes you can make to have a big impact on your prints, then you might enjoy one of my workshops.

Tutorial using alcohol inks on a gel plate by Carolyn Dube #gelprinting

Here are the supplies used. Some of these links are affiliate links which means I get a small percentage. For example, I’m an Amazon Associate & I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps keep the free tutorials coming!

I also used lemon and tangerine, but for reason those links weren’t working at the time this post was published.


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During an interview I confessed a few things, such as why I used to buy brown paint and why my kids wish I had gotten in to art sooner.

You’ll also find out what surface is great to work on if you’re looking for ways to loosen up, let go, and play. Plus discover how art can help you in non-art areas of your life.

Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join Nat Kalbach and I for a chat in the video below. Who’s Nat? She’s Nat Kalbach, the wizard behind Creative JumpStart, in it’s 9th year!

What is Creative Jump Start?

It’s a one of kind online event with 31 downloadable videos, each from a different artist, with one each day in January. It’s like a creative buffet of different styles, approaches and fun!

If you’re thinking about joining the fun of Creative JumpStart, the early bird sale is happening right now so if you’d like a new video every day in January, jump on in before the price goes up.

Creative JumpStart is regularly $60 but the earlier you join the better your discount!

  • December 3rd 12:01AM EST until December 6th 11:59PM EST $45
  • December 7th 12:01AM EST until December 31st 11:59PM EST $50
  • January 1st 12:01AM EST $60

Join me, and 30 other instructors and kick off 2020 with creativity in Creative JumpStart!

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What is Creative JumpStart? It’s a one of kind online event that is all about jump starting your creativity put together each year by Nat Kalbach. So exciting to be a part of such a playful way to kick off 2020!

It’s 31 downloadable videos, each from a different artist, in January. It’s like a creative buffet of different styles, approaches and fun! You’ll get a new downloadable video each day throughout the month of January.

The theme this year is Super Power and I’m sharing a technique using stencils that came about because of my Super Power of making mistakes. Mistakes take me down roads I don’t plan on but lead me to new ways to use my supplies.

Each video is about 10 minutes long, so creativity and play can fit into even your busy schedule!

Who all will be teaching? Check out the variety of teachers here!

The early bird sale is happening right now so if you’d like a new video every day in January! What a steal for inspiration from so many different artists! Head on over to Nat’s to get signed up.

Creative JumpStart is regularly $60 but the earlier you join the better your discount!

  • $50 December 7th 12:01AM EST until December 31st 11:59PM EST
  • $60 January 1st 12:01AM EST
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