Fun Gelli Plate printing workshop for beginners - card making for Christmas!

Description

Come get messy and enjoy experimenting with the addictive Gelli Plate printing process alongside myself, professional artist Heather Irvine. No experience is necessary as in this creative and intuitive workshop, all processes will be clearly explained - my aim is for you to leave satisfied with a good basic knowledge of Gelli printing and hopefully, a few hand-made Christmas inspired printed cards for you to take away. Each student will have their own Gelli plate, brayer and acrylic paint to play with, you will just need to have a willingness to learn and a bring bit of imagination along! The session will start with an introduction and demo on basic techniques and through this I will guide you on how to mix colours confidently alongside my own Gelli plate print examples for you to reference. You will then be able to begin making your own unique prints using different mark-making, stencils and masks, exploring texture and colour combinations, alongside using natural objects such as leaves for printing. I will be on hand to help every student throughout the whole process. I will also walk you through how to print/collage on cardstock to create you own unique Christmas cards. Gel plate printing is a quick (again, I'll warn you - addictive!) and immediately gratifying way of creating unique prints without any need for bulky print presses. It is a fantastic process for having fun and experimenting and you *will* leave with some happy and unexpected results. These prints can be framed as artworks on their own, or used as collage paper, turned into gift tags, or bookmarks and cards - there are endless possibilities with this medium. I do suggest you bring an apron, or some old clothes you don't mind getting dirty. All the paper, paint and materials you will be using will be provided. Please do, however, feel free to bring any art materials, or paper you would like to try on the Gelli plate. Tea, coffee, cake and light refreshments will be on tap all day! I do suggest though that you bring some lunch or snacks with you as we will stop for a break midday.

What's included in the price?

All materials and your own table to work on (please note the Gelli plates and brayers are supplied, but are not included for you to take away as part of payment for the workshop). There will be a maximum of 12 people on the workshop so I can give plenty of one-on-one help for you. The Venue - Wisborough Green Village Hall My local village hall is where I currently run a successful art class and is light and airy, equipped with a lovely kitchen and has full disabled access and toilets. There are plenty of parking spaces at the hall and we have a village shop and two lovely pubs.

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Heather Irvine Artist

with Craft Courses since 2025

Message the tutor

Hi! I am a contemporary colourist wildlife, equestrian and nature inspired artist from West Sussex. I work in bold bright complimentary colours, mainly in mixed media and am dedicated to promoting conservation through my work with a percentage from each piece going straight back to the many animals I depict. I have a passion for horses, terriers and all wildlife, with Painted Dogs (aka the Painted Wolf or African Wild Dog) being at the forefront of my work. However, I have a broad spectrum of knowledge across many mediums (I love to experiment!) as I currently teach three large art classes and have done many demonstrations to art societies and groups throughout my career. Gelli printing is a huge part of my process, alongside acrylic, oil pastel, charcoal and collage (basically if it makes a mark, I'll use it!). I am lucky enough to have been a shortlisted David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year finalist for over 13 years and have exhibited with NEWA (now EWA), The Society of Wildlife Artists and was overall winner of BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year in 2012. I very much look forward to passing on a bit of knowledge for you to take away and to meet you in person at one of my workshops :)