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Instructor: Heather Neilson
Dates: Tuesdays, July 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 2026
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Ages: 18+
Members: $202.50
Non-Members: $225
(Registration deadline: July 10)
Description:
Explore the playful, layered world of gel plate printing and discover how this versatile process can bring new depth and energy to your mixed media work. Using a variety of papers, stencils, texture tools, and acrylic paints, you’ll create richly layered prints filled with color, texture, and unexpected discoveries.You’ll learn how to work with a gel plate, brayer, and an assortment of mark making and texture tools to develop expressive surfaces and one of a kind printed papers. The possibilities are endless and often delightfully surprising. From there, you’ll transform your favorite prints into 1–3 unique abstract collages on wood panels, combining paint, paper, and other mixed media elements to create finished pieces that feel both spontaneous and refined.
Materials:
Provided by participants (included links to purchase are suggestions for possible options):
Gel Plate (any size or brand)
Brayer Link to purchase - Amazon
Variety of papers (the following are ideas for papers to use for gel plate printing, you do not need all of these. A variety will give you good options, but it is your choice of how many you would like to purchase and gather. Also, look around your house for reusable materials (the only types that do not work great are glossy or shiny papers).
Copy paper - any kind or brand
Book pages
Acid-free sketch paper - especially good if concerned about archival quality
Tissue paper - white or colored (does not need to be "wet strength" but one which holds up better than regular tissue paper) Link to purchase - Amazon
Rice paper Link to purchase - Amazon
Butcher paper Link to purchase - Amazon
Printmaking paper - nicer quality, can be used for finished prints rather than for collage
Strathmore Printmaking paper Link to purchase - Amazon
UCreate Printmaking paper Link to purchase - Amazon
Acrylic paint (your favorite 3+ colors and black and titanium white)
GOLDEN OPEN paints (recommended but not required)
GOLDEN Fluid acrylics (a few colors is fine)
Alternative: If you only have regular acrylics and do not want to purchase GOLDEN OPEN paints, you can purchase OPEN medium that can be added to your paint
GOLDEN Open Medium Link to purchase - Dick Blick
1-3 cradled wood panels, recommended size 12x12" but you can work bigger, up to 24” if you wish Link to purchase - Dick Blick
Alternative: Instead of wood panel, you can work on watercolor or mixed media paper, any size (at least 140 lbs.)
Soft Gel Semi-Gloss (or glue of your choice if you are experienced) Link to purchase - Amazon
2 or more brushes, one at least 1” wide
Container for water
Paper towels
Palette, palette paper or something to mix your paint on
Apron (optional)
Latex gloves (optional)
Instructor Bio:
Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist with over 30 years of experience in the studio. She studied at The Art Students League of New York and has trained with several master artists, continously evolving her process through exploration and experimentation. Over the past decade, Heather has also been an active and passionate art educator, trained by GOLDEN Paints, and committed to helping others tap into their creative voice. Before pursuing art full-time, she worked professionally in marketing and holds a B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University.
Instructor's Website: https://www.heatherneilsonart.com
All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive
Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).
Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here
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