How to Create and Use Masks on Your Gel Plate

In today’s gel printing tutorial, I’m showing you how to create and use masks on your gel plate to build rich, layered prints with beautiful negative space. If you’ve ever wondered "what’s the difference between masks and stencils?" — this video will make it crystal clear. Masks block the paint so it doesn’t hit your paper, while stencils are designed to let paint through. I walk you through both visually so you can see the magic happen on the plate. I also show you how to make your own DIY gel plate masks using simple materials you probably already have at home: • old manila folders • plastic notebook dividers • messed-up or heavily painted prints (great for sturdier masks!) • Tyvek envelopes — including the free Priority Mail envelopes from the USPS This video was inspired by my recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I saw Matisse’s incredible cutouts. His shapes and compositions influenced the masks I cut for today’s demo, and I share the photos I took at the Met so you can see the connection. Then we put everything into action with a three-layer gel print: 1️⃣ First layer of color + pull 2️⃣ Second layer with masks 3️⃣ Third layer with masks placed in different positions for a more interesting composition I also explain why the traditional light-to-dark printing rule doesn’t apply here — when you’re working with masks, you can layer colors in any order you like! If you love gel plate printing, mixed media, or simply want to expand your creative toolbox, this video will give you tons of ideas. ✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired your next print! 📕 FREE Gel Printing Supply List: https://jenna-mclean-art.mykajabi.com... The baren I used in this video is from Speedball. Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/44scmbb The tool I used to register my print paper is from Gelelf: https://amzn.to/487y0Us 🎬 Instagram: check out my gel printing reels & tips @jennagelprints 👉 There’s also a gel print playlist here on Youtube! There are 2 other videos on this channel in which I use botanicals as masks: “Unlock the Magic of Ghost prints in Gel printing”    • Unlock the Magic of Ghost Prints in Gel Pr...   And “Gel Plate Printing with Botanicals: How to Use Masks for Stunning Prints”    • Gel Plate Printing with Botanicals: How to...   DISCLOSURE: the free Gel Print Supply List contains links to Amazon, and I am a member of their affiliate program. If you click on the links to Amazon and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Timestamps: 00:00 Masks are often used in gel plate printing 00:36 How stencils work on your gel plate 01:58 How masks work on your gel plate 03:13 Make your own masks 03:56 Other materials you can use 06:29 How to register your print layers 08:14 Matisse inspired mask project 15:34 Toss out color rules with masks 16:47 Use botanicals as masks 17:16 Free supply list #gelplateprinting #gelliplate #gelprinttutorialforbeginners #gelli #gelprintingforbeginners