How To Create Mixed Media Art Using Gelli Prints

[@MaryGadsby]

My mouth dropped open when the plot twist was revealed, I just love what you’ve done with the piece. I always love watching you work

[@VikkiReed]

Mary thank you! I love that..it was a delight for me after the shock of seeing the varnish fiasco. It's so nice to know that the creative energies are conspiring on our behalf!

[@sunshinejenny777]

So glad to see your new video!! I love the way you work and your laughter also.

[@VikkiReed]

Sunshine Jenny, thank you, what a beautiful compliment! More videos on the way!

[@cIvy726]

Fabulous! Even the way you changed her hair is wonderful. Everything evolved beautifully. Really beautiful and evocative painting.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much for watching and commenting, sometimes it takes me a long time to get to the place where I'm happy with a painting, and when that happens it is cause for celebration!

[@ankekirsten4284]

I’m just astonished at how this is turning out! Love watching it coming together! Thank you for sharing your work. The final scene is great! lol love the plot twist, an amazing surprise ❤❤❤❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Although I would like it to appear as though I always know what I’m doing, it often turns out that the painting is leading the way and I just need to follow the cues. I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@samcee6990]

Absolutely wow. Incredible transformation.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much, it was quite the journey!

[@faerieraven6877]

What a plot twist! I love how they both turned out 💕 i enjoy watching you so much...painting, collaging, gel printing... i realise how much i can learn. I've always been able to draw ,but never explored other mediums, and I need to be braver with colour. So, thank you, for all of your inspiration 🥰

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you for your comment, I’m so excited you are feeling inspired! Drawing is such a great foundation. From there you can truly do anything, yes! Be brave, explore and have fun, you will be amazed at what flows forth!

[@sheilabassett3188]

Oh yes I can see this ! Goddess Athena and her sacred owl ! Cool

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, Sheila!

[@reneewilliford1248]

Fabulous outcome! So enjoyed watching you work your magic. ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, that’s a wonderful compliment!

[@betsyclarke8534]

That was wonderful! It’s amazing how you follow your intuition and follow your journey to just the right places… thank you!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Betsy, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@LMSonora]

Jaw drop! Thank you so much for sharing the whole process. I loved the underpainting with the print scraps. I was actually sad when you started covering up a lot of the colors and patterns but it was interesting to see how you took what was very abstract and worked it up into a very realistic painting while pressrving some of the underlying colors and texture. Real talent! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much! You've identified a very important part of the process...letting go of what you love already, trusting that something even more beautiful will develop! I struggle with this virtually every time...but if I don't let go, I'm stuck where I am with something lovely but incomplete. It is a trust building exercise!

[@luannianke8110]

That was fun to watch. Good result.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much!

[@peaceforall2761]

I love this technique 😍. It's one of the best ways I can draw. I love it.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, I'm so glad! I feel life is better when we are creating!

[@pamfrench3644]

What a fantastic result - great plot twist! I spend way too much time watching your videos, but you inspire me so it's worth it. lol

[@VikkiReed]

Pam, thank you so much for letting me know! I am really happy that you are feeling inspired, that is a big part of my motivation to post videos...I feel the world is (can be) a better place when we are focused on what we can create!

[@lindalavid]

Lordy, ur brave. I loved many of the iterations. The ending is so beautifully integrated.

[@VikkiReed]

Ah, Linda, thank you, I really appreciate your comment!

[@lanamartin2065]

I really love your style, started watching your "old" vids and was even more impressed with your creative visions! Thank you for your inspiration.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much Lana! I've had a few different styles through the 33 years I've been an artist, starting with desert landscapes in watercolor, then the mandalas and now the mixed media art and gelli printing!

[@amherst88]

This was fascinating Vikki -- all the way to the end -- what a *gorgeous* painting ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and watched until the end!

[@madelineruehlicke2186]

Vikki, thank you so much for sharing your artistic process. It was so helpful to watch and learn from your process and techniques and continued determining. Bravo!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you very much Madeline! It is a little scary to put it all out there, but knowing it helps encourages me to continue!

[@marshacastello8350]

Vikki, bravo! Love it! I so enjoy your videos. Keep them coming!

[@VikkiReed]

Marsha, thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Maria-k0]

Hi Vikki oh I’m so happy I found you and your amazing skills you share in your videos. Thank you and you always have a lovely smile when you begin 😊

[@VikkiReed]

Aw, thank you so much, your compliments are bringing a smile to me right now!

[@jeaninebrownpaints2025]

I love how you can see through the "beautiful noise" background... I'm still working on listening with my eyes to see what wants to be born. Wonderful work and thank you big-time for sharing and inspiring! xoxox

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you for your beautiful compliment/comment Jeanine, I love how you express that..."listening with my eyes to see what wants to be born", exactly!

[@creativepassages]

Wow! That was amazing to watch. It turned out beautiful! You are so loose, intuitive, and talented. Even though she went through several changes, and I lived it at several places along the way, it really did turn out phenomenal! I like the rough look of it!! It enhances it.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much! A lot of times I have wished I could love it enough to call it finished along the way, but my current process is to keep working until it feels right. Thank you for appreciating that! I continue to work in this way, and feel thrilled when I find a Gelli Print that fits perfectly into a mixed media piece!

[@paulasolomon1285]

i really love this video. thank you for sharing the process you go through. i am one with tons of gelli prints.!!

[@VikkiReed]

Paula, thank you, I hear you! Don't be afraid to tear them up and layer them...you can always make more!

[@maralfniqle5092]

Amazing and awesome process, love how she wanted to be seen at the end.❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you! That's a great way to express it, she wanted to be seen...!

[@kedrynevans6240]

It was great to see your whole process and the struggles on where to take things. I think I step away from some of my pieces too early, it was good to see you push through, very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your art and how you create it!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, I'm so glad it was helpful...I often wish I knew what I was doing and where I was going from the beginning, but that is the exception for me and often, I'm having to sand things down and regroup, as in this case after the varnish incident, but it really worked in my favor!

[@831Miranda]

Wow! Thank You for a beautiful art lesson! It was wonderful to follow the process of your choices, I learned quite a bit about mediums I have never combined, among other things... ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Miranda, I'm so glad! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, and happy creating!

[@brendadoyle643]

I love watching your creative process. Thank you.

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much, Brenda!

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

i love your final painting and even just before the plot twist. The beginning underpainting was very chaotic and I am not a fan of those colors in combo, so i'm glad they all got obscured, but that brings to mind the question-- what is the purpose of doing an underpainting when 99% of it gets covered by the end? curious minds want to know! thanks

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you for your excellent question! It is not so much that the underpainting has a purpose other than keeping me painting, creating, and allowing an evolution…until the painting, with my current level of skill can emerge. I think I (maybe many artists) consistently reach beyond current capabilities, intending an outcome that may be out of reach…for now. Quoting from the book “Art and Fear”…”what separates artists from ex-artists is that those who keep challenging their fear continue, while those that don’t…quit.”

[@sylviesoulard1346]

Wow ! Très beau résultat, impressionnant ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Merci, Sylvie!

[@SandraLeeCox]

Oh my word, Vikki! This is stunning..I so wish I had your eyes..

[@VikkiReed]

Sandra, thank you so much, but you have YOUR eyes! I remember being in a show with an artist I admired SO much, and I said, "I wish I could paint like you!" He looked at me and smiled, and said, "then what would I do?" lol, I've never forgotten it. Only you can paint your authentic expression, and the world is waiting for it!

[@MsToxicavenger]

Really amazing to watch your process. Thank you for sharing your talent and ideas with us. 💕🧡

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kristinev7671]

Love, love, LOVE the Plot Twist!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, Kristine!

[@jocelynelarose3715]

Wow incredible , i love mix media is one big ,but real chef oeuvre Bravo Vicky what is good talent ,much work follow the all colors by step and step.👍🥰

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, Jocelyn! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@annfox9187]

OMG its so beautiful . Inspirational. I love your gentle manner

[@VikkiReed]

Ann, thank you for your lovely compliment!

[@suzijorgensen6545]

I loved the background colours b4 you went over it in the creamy

[@VikkiReed]

lol, thank you, it’s hard looking back and seeing, hey! It looked pretty good there, why did I paint over it? But that’s the process, and I have to get to the place where I feel great about it before I can call it done! Thanks for your comment!

[@marionwigzell7334]

I really enjoyed watching you create this painting Vikki, thanks for sharing (-: Marion 🎉

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much, Marion!

[@CandyB843]

❤WOW!! BEAUTIFUL!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, Candy!

[@49dragonflies]

Thanks for sharing your process - fascinating! ❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much, I appreciate your taking the time to watch and comment!

[@pom700]

Beautiful painting

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much!

[@sunshinejenny777]

Fascinating how your find the shapes! I saw another bird and an angel.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, I know, isn’t it fun! Wonderful possibilities!

[@paulakotula3417]

Wow!!! Not finished yet but thank you so much for sharing your processes really inspirational and so helpful! Can’t wait to see the finished piece!

[@VikkiReed]

Paula, thank you! It's a little scary to show the process but totally worth it if it gets you inspired! Finished piece at the end, let me know what you think!

[@paulakotula3417]

I LOVE IT!!! It’s exactly how it should be!! And such good advice - trust the process let it evolve! Going to practice this with my own art. Thank you again! ❤

[@VikkiReed]

@@paulakotula3417 thank you so much! That is very validating...I hope it will help you trust your own process more, too!

[@conchicasado200]

Me ha encantado este trabajo

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much!

[@sherreesharron1726]

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful! In the beginning of your process, I saw a cat sitting on the back of the woman's chair, vs an owl, but that's probably because my cat does this to me in real life! However, the owl is so intriguing, and I love that you added both of their faces in the plot twist! Thank you for sharing your amazing process with us! It was delightful to watch and learn! ❤❤❤

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you Sherree! A cat would have been a GREAT option, I love that your cat sits with you like that! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dinorahrivas1799]

Just amazing!! I love it!

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much!

[@allisonjames2923]

Really interesting technique & seeing what you see. I could definitely see people in this (I see faces a lot in paintings & often wonder if they’re a window between the spirit dimension & ours. And the owl is really clear now you’ve traced it out, but in that area of the woman looking away, I actually see a woman standing in a puddle, crouched with her knees bent, her head facing forward & a bit down & her arms are swung up high behind her back looking as if she is about to leap into the air to make the biggest splash 🤔 It would be so interesting to make the initial image available to everyone & have people post their interpretation on Instagram or somewhere.

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you so much, it is fun and fascinating what you see! Thank yo for your idea of offering up the initial image for interpretation! I am on instagram under @chakramandalas...I'll explore your idea!

[@wendyapple7060]

Wow. Wow! Wow!!!

[@VikkiReed]

Wendy, thank you!

[@sunshinejenny777]

Beautiful!!!

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much!

[@wieswarnders6501]

So beautiful result! I love to whats

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks so much, I'm glad it was fun to watch!

[@sabrinenejjar2046]

Wonderful ❤❤😍😍

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you, Sabrine!

[@lotusflowerpassion]

lovely dear 💖

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks very much!

[@leigh-annh2544]

Learn the rules, then break them! This is fabulous. Plot Twist! It works!

[@VikkiReed]

YES! Thank you, I appreciate your comment very much!

[@s.k.1091]

WOW - So glad I tuned in !!! LOVED watching your process :-). Am wondering why, in the beginning, you didn’t turn the sample copies in different directions to see what images might pop? THANK You SO MUCH for sharing your work - truly inspiring!

[@VikkiReed]

Hi, thank you, GREAT question! I did turn them different ways to find the images, but for the sake of my own organization, I "titled" what I saw at the top of the page so I could quickly sketch out what was there on camera (if you look at it again, you will see the different orientation of the copies). You definitely have the right idea about rotating the image to keep exploring!

[@maryfellows4159]

Wow! Such a cool finish to your piece! Brilliant idea to add inks to your sprays….I have several TH sprays I almost never use. If you have a moment, can you tell me how much ink you add to make them permanent? Thank you for sharing your process….I really enjoyed it!

[@VikkiReed]

Hi Mary, yes, I find that the TH spray bottles are great, but the spray itself "moves around" in subsequent layers which is problematic for me. So what I'm saying is almost no TH spray, and Amsterdam or Daler Rowney acrylic inks in high proportion should get the job done for you!

[@janice2992]

A rock band. Star wars Chewy. Dr Who. I saw a woman at one point but she disappeared quickly. The colours work great together. Any special paper or canvas for the base? I am wishing I took art now at school because I don't know about supplies. Thank you 💖💐

[@VikkiReed]

Woo-hoo! Janice, you're on a roll now! This piece was created on masonite, but that is unusual for me. My current favorite is birchwood panel...btw I did not go to art school and choose my supplies by trial and error and preference...I do have a mixed media bird course coming up (I believe within the next month, the videos are still being edited) if you want to be on the email list to be notified about the course, you can join here...gelliplatefun.com/mixed-media-bird-course/ also, all the videos show ALL the supplies used in the information below the video, if you click on "more..." it will open up

[@sankikreationsakasandra-ka6873]

Hi, thus is a general question about gelli printing. I enjoy your videos and hope you can help. I'm finding the areas where I first put the paint show blobs even when I've evened out the paint, and if it takes me a few rows with the brayer then the paintings off in spots and I can't get it to take more paint?? Don't know what I'm doing wrong. Please help if you can. Sandra-Kay

[@VikkiReed]

Sandra-Kay, I'm sure that is so frustrating! Without seeing it, from the sound of it, I suspect you are using heavy body acrylic. I use Golden Fluid Acrylics almost exclusively when I am Gelli Printing. The exceptions are when I'm seeking an image transfer. But for your purposes, try some Golden Fluid Acrylics (minimal investment to start!) Brayer pressure can be an issue as well, light touch is the best for gelli printing. Humidity levels are another variable that will affect your gelli printing a great deal, too low and the paint sticks on the plate and you can't pull it, too high and the paint won't dry and prints are squishy and unsatisfactory. If none of what I've shared gets you any closer to your goal, I do offer one hour private sessions over Zoom, here's the link vikkireed.com/buy-acrylic-paintings/ols/products/gelli-plate-printing-instruction---1-hour-over-zoom You can also ask more questions after you've tried what I suggested...good luck! You'll feel fantastic when you get it!

[@meleagoins5935]

How do you get your collage pieces cut to the exact size and shape you need for the final project?

[@VikkiReed]

Hi, thank you for your excellent question! I always tear the collage paper, and things just seem to fall into place, of course, not always, but that is part of the magic for me, I will pick up a piece of random collage paper, and it will fit perfectly where I need it! If that doesn't happen, I continue to sort through papers of the appropriate color and pattern, until I see what I think might work, and then tear it and place it for evaluation. That is another thing I love about collage work, you can see how it is going to look before you adhere it, while with paint, the brushstroke needs to go on before you can see it. I hope that makes sense!

[@Bella-d1v9y]

Beautiful. I like seeing the whole process like this. And was that some sort of spatula that you used to apply matte medum?

[@VikkiReed]

Thank you! Yes, I prefer it for two very specific reasons, 1) it is easier to smooth out bubbles... 2) it doesn't need to be cleaned like a brush. If matte medium dries on your brush it is ruined, unless you soak it in alcohol and detergent and work the matte medium out of the bristles. When matte medium dries on the silicone spatula, you can simply peel it off!

[@Bella-d1v9y]

win win. I love it. you think out of the box all the time! thnx.

[@VikkiReed]

@@Bella-d1v9y Thank you! These are beautiful compliments...my dad would be so proud, he was a big fan of the win win, AND thinking outside the box...

[@christinemain5810]

What paper/board did you do your under painting on???

[@VikkiReed]

Hi Christine, thank you for your question, this piece was created on gessoed masonite, a somewhat unusual surface for me, I prefer cradled birchwood, which holds up well to sanding and is quite easy to apply collage to, a sturdier surface than canvas.

[@sunshinejenny777]

What gel medium brand and type do you use?

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks for your question, I use Golden Matte Medium!

[@cathyjoly671]

😍👍🙏

[@loewe2361]

Finde es perfekt, wie du das umgesetzt hast. Aber sehr schade, dass von dem Untergrund nichts mehr zu sehen ist. Den fand ich unnachahmbar…..ein Unikat. Hatte mir besser gefallen, statt die Vollendung. Lg

[@VikkiReed]

Aw, thank you, yes...it is the risk that is taken when evolving it too far, maybe, more of the rich and raw underpainting could remain...a goal for future pieces! I very much appreciate your feedback, thank you!

[@loewe2361]

@@VikkiReed danke für deine Antwort an mich. Freue mich, wenn ich dir mit meiner Sichtweise helfen konnte. Andere sehen es bestimmt anders, aber ich liebe solche Hintergründe. Es gibt sooo viel zu entdecken und das Realistische ist eindeutig und begrenzt. Herzliche Grüße aus Deutschland 🥰

[@VikkiReed]

@@loewe2361 Thank you, I guess I still struggle with abstract, but I hope that will not always be so!

[@treborekcohcs40]

NECK IS A LITTLE LONG

[@VikkiReed]

Thanks for your feedback! I tend to do that, a bit Modigliani-ish