Posca Paint Pens on a Gel Plate

[@lulabelle33]

Terrific. Like nothing else I've seen on gel plate. Refreshingly interesting and whole new thinking for me. Thx

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@artshaman]

Awesome image!! I love that you use strange and unusual images -- they're cool and eye-catching. Don't sweat the moments of silence either -- seeing your process is very interesting and rewarding in itself. This print came out great! Thank you so much for sharing the creation of this! 👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you. It’s nice to hear that you enjoyed it.

[@ant11368]

No need to apologise for silence. I find it annoying when people blab endlessly and pointlessly. Thanks for sharing this! Will definitely try it

[@gelwithmark]

Cheers 👍🏻

[@jdmosaics]

@@gelwithmarkditto… very pop arty and an interesting process, thanks for sharing. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤

[@gelwithmark]

@@jdmosaics my pleasure, thanks for taking the time to view.

[@liz-anna2365]

I prefer silence to the obnoxious music so many KZbinrs play. I assume it’s because they are using free music. Love this video. Thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

Good, glad you like the video. Thanks for watching.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

When i first started watching this video, i thought, "Why not just make the print, complete, then add the Posca pens at the end?" But, seeing the final results, i gladly admit that i was wrong -Bravo!

[@gelwithmark]

Yes you are right I could do that and then again you could also say why not just paint the whole picture and do away with the gel plate entirely, I guess for me I like to try and make a complete print all in one go without a 2nd step afterwards ie like adding the pen afterwards and 2, I like the surprise at the end of seeing how the marks have translated into creating the print and that for me is in the magic of using a gel plate. Thanks for watching.

[@casper8577]

I've never seen anyone use such thick paint. Gell plates are even more versatile than I thought! How exciting!!! This opens up more possibilities for my art practice

[@gelwithmark]

Yes, I probably sometimes over kill the amount of paint I need but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

[@cheryl7476]

She turned out beautifully. I picked up a few tips, which will help me in the future. I especially like the stacking of books, while the paint dries. Thank you, Mark. You have a new subbie.

[@gelwithmark]

@@cheryl7476 thank you glad you found some helpful tips.

[@cmumford1477]

So good! Great image! ty so much for sharing! Also TY for no music. It is sometimes hard to hear the artist for the music.... It is great to hear your thought process and artistic tips throughout. Your print turned out fantastic.👍👍

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks I appreciate it. It’s good to know that you found the vid informative.

[@Chanel95-d6u]

Silences are great - calming in a world of noise. Thanks for some great ideas. Much appreciated!

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@dianneshaw217]

I don’t mind the silence as I can feel the artist at work rather than having to listen to nonsensical chatter like many videos have I’m a beginner at Gel plate printing but love using Posca pens & you explain your process well so I’m confident that I can give this a go

[@gelwithmark]

@@dianneshaw217 thank you, have fun.

[@sheilacym]

This is, without doubt, one of the BEST ever video / tutorials that I have ever watched here on YT……without exaggeration. Thank you too, for not adding any music. 🎉 Your explanation of the process and your thoughts along the way are perfect and you do not need music to fill in any periods of silence. Wishing you every success with your channel here….and thank you for this really fabulous video /tutorial. 🥳🥳🤩🤩

[@gelwithmark]

@@sheilacym thank you, that’s such a lovely comment, it’s very much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@Pamflit]

Brilliant! Best instruction on gel plate. Loved it. 🌟🙌

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@prairiemomof2]

i like that you pulled the gelli plate rather than pulling (and curling) the paper. thanks for the cool tutorial. nice experiment!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Yes I feel this puts less stress on the paper.

[@mandylew85]

So cool! I love that you can get a screen print feel without all the faff! And being quiet….don’t stress as your artistry does the talking.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Yes it’s nice to be able to get something similar but it’s not perfect, but with perfecting it can look pretty close I think.

[@Samahra01]

I love your channel! So glad I found ya:) I agree...I think most people prefer that you're just being relaxed and I don't mind the quiet at all. Just do whatever makes you feel comfortable and that vibe will be passed to your audience❤...Thank you for sharing your creativity with us!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks you for the kind words, I appreciate it. Glad you like my stuff.

[@counseloridealist]

Awesome print!

[@gelwithmark]

Cheers

[@barbh1]

Beautiful! I have not seen anyone do such a detailed piece on the gel plate. Thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure, thank you.

[@boundforwonderland]

This is really neat! I didnt realize you could let the paint dry so ive always been in a rush to keep the plate wet. But this makes so much more possible!! Thank you for this video!

[@gelwithmark]

Glad it has helped. All you need to be wet is the final layer before you add your paper. 👍🏻

[@hangingoutwithnanajacobson7582]

I am not an artist, never heard of a gel plate until I started junk journaling a few months ago. Wanted to know what else to do with gel plate and this is amazing! I love how you described your thinking/process and explained so well that even I could give it a go for fun. Thanks for sharing this.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it, that’s nice to hear.

[@FloatingOurBoat]

What a fab process - love it 👏👏

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you.

[@deannashellard3627]

Great video, lots of great tips! (Pastel pencil, Posca markers, and the fact that you layer the paint and let it sit for so long before you pull it) I have limited techniques with a gel plate - so this is very exciting. Watched your video a few times already :)

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Glad you like it. Any questions just ask and I’ll try and answer if I can.

[@susanlaskey7778]

I love your technique! Very unlike most of the other gelli plate artists. You have led me down the path less followed.much appreciated!

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you I’m glad you like what I make and show. Yes that was also my intention to try and make something much less seen. 👍🏻

[@miekemiddelhuis3782]

I love your technique, you explain it very well and I don't mind the silent periodes at all. Great print, thanks Mark!

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you

[@babawawa1953]

Silence is good. I’m quite happy to not have music playing during tutorial. I’ll listen to my tunes when by myself and experimenting with my pens & bits . Thank you.

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure. 👍🏻

[@christinearnold-green8540]

Wow...love it! I have a gel plate - unused, because I'm terrfied of using it. This has helped enormously.

[@gelwithmark]

@@christinearnold-green8540 there is nothing to fear, crack it open and have some fun! 😊

[@debraolm7104]

AWESOME! LOVED IT✅✅✅🐝

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you.

[@kristinebooden6235]

I like the quiet times , it gives me time to process my thoughts! Fabulous video. Thanks 🎉

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Glad you found it useful.

[@katanyajason3316]

Amazing! I have all my gel plates on acrylic plates so I can flip them over once in a while to see what I'm going to get. There's a great company in the UK who sells acrylic sheets made to measure at a relatively low cost. You can get any thickness, size, rounded corners etc. If you place your gel plate directly onto the picture you want to replicate, you can skip the first step with the graphite pencil and trace directly onto your plate with the Posca pens. However you won't get the black line so you'll have to add that in.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Yes I have done a lot of drawing direct onto my plate in the way that you have mentioned but I currently quite like doing the pastel/charcoal transfer as a part of my process. I’ve tried using the acrylic sheets also but I have run into problems in the past when trying to get the plate off of my paper as I like to pull the plate up off of my paper instead of pulling the paper as I find I put less stress on the paper, but with the acrylic sheet on that doesn’t give me the flexibility that I need to be able to achieve this. Plus for me, I don’t like to look at the underside of the plate, I like the surprise of the reveal when it comes to time to pull! Thanks for the tips though.

[@DJVARAO]

I love the pop art look of this work. I just got my gel plate today and this is my main inspiration. 😁

[@gelwithmark]

@@DJVARAO enjoy experimenting with your new plate.

[@MoniqueAO888]

Wow, that is a fantastic technique...I havn't seen this before !!!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@catlover8034]

Wow, that was really exciting when you pulled the print. What an excellent tutorial. Learned so much again. Thank you for the clear explanation. No worries about the silences or the lack of music. All that noise would just be distracting in this case. Your channel certainly deserves much more attention. I immediately subscribed.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤

[@gelwithmark]

Ah thank you so much. Glad you found it informative and fun to watch. Every subscriber helps so thanks for the support!

[@sheilacym]

Me too….!! 🤗🤗

[@gelwithmark]

@@sheilacym thanks

[@marnitzvermeulenart]

She looks like a fashionista from the 70's! So cool! Great video, Thanks Mark

[@gelwithmark]

@@marnitzvermeulenart thank you. Your welcome.

[@vinayakshanbhag8717]

what a great technique. loved your thought process without any music. thank you for sharing. so glad to have discover your channel.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@OfficialFidget]

Dude, your video thumbnail is epic!😂

[@gelwithmark]

😁thanks. I’ve been struggling to come up with good thumbnails for my videos, I appreciate the comment.

[@elizabethpears307]

Thanks for answering the Posca pen on a gelli plate question!!

[@gelwithmark]

No problem

[@jasonballinger3549]

Very cool ! Amazing & Inspiring …. I can’t wait to play !

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks you. Have fun!

[@quadraknot]

Wow!!! I love her❣ It was exciting for me to watch the pull. I was hoping all your work would reveal itself as it did. Thanks for the close-up camera work and commentary.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. I like the surprise at the reveal too that’s why I never look at the underside of the plate. Glad the close ups helped, I’ll make sure I keep doing that in my next videos. 👍🏻

[@ElburroE]

Whoa. Just getting into Gelli prints and I had NO idea what is possible. Amazing.

[@gelwithmark]

Yes you and do so much more that just the commercial stencils and journal page work with one of these versatile tools!

[@NanetteStein]

I LOVE this technique! So many options this opens up! And…silence is golden, and all that. I enjoyed this very much. So happy to have found you! Cheers!

[@gelwithmark]

You are so welcome!

[@chrisruss9861]

Nice and sharp. The detailed pattern on shirt pulls the whole thing together. Your technique is individualistic and appreciated. Gelli as fine arts form of people's art still has the stamp of novelty for me, and there are likely to be many more discoveries by practitioners edging forward.

[@gelwithmark]

Fair enough. Thanks for the comment.

[@studioplanetesilhouette]

Cleanest gel plate result I’ve ever seen 😊

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. I do like a clean print pull!

[@mabellchurnoopay]

Brilliant! Will watch this again to be sure of steps before I try. Thank you for this well thought out, instructive tutorial.

[@createwithbarbbl4125]

I've never used my gelli plate because I really didn't like all the mess on videos that I've watched. This method really interests me, its much more controlled. I loved your artwork. Thank you for sharing this method with Posca pens and paint.

[@gelwithmark]

@@createwithbarbbl4125 no problem. My advice would be try to find a way to use the gel plate in a way that works for you. You can use your plate in a very concise, controlled and methodical manner if you choose to.

[@createwithbarbbl4125]

@@gelwithmark Thank you Mark, time for me to clear the decks and have a try. I am a watercolorist mostly so I will watch more of your work and make a start.

[@janinafisher101]

Very cool! I really appreciate that you don't have music in the background. I am totally fine with silence when you are not talking. In fact it is quite a relief from some of the videos I see.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[@jiamaree1112]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this, thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

Great. Thanks 👍🏻

[@joydavis3089]

I love how you have mastered the ability to do the backward thought process of your desired result. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks for the comment

[@carolynking5418]

Love this, Mark! Fabulous process......I am your new devotee!!❤

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you. Welcome! 🙂

[@carolynking5418]

Can't wait to try the charcoal pencil transfer. Deep bow of gratitude for the time and knowledge you are sharing this way. 🙏

[@gelwithmark]

@@carolynking5418 my pleasure. Let me know how you get on!

[@christineboone2850]

Very fun! I look forward to trying this. Also, I appreciate the general quiet tone of your video.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@carolyndiaz2027]

VERY Nice...had no clue you could have such detail with gel printing.

[@gelwithmark]

Now you know! Thanks for watching.

[@lorindacanales9920]

WOW! I am standing here beside myself in awe!! BRILLIANT!! I can only imagine all the HOURS YOU put into this technique. It shows and I am very grateful you have shared this! Really like the silence as well... music can be great or extremely irritating, but silence is welcomed;)

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it. Glad you liked it.

[@accade_acaso]

I learn so much today! Thank you for sharing, super informative, well made video, you’re an attentive teacher ❤ many thanks

[@gelwithmark]

@@accade_acaso glad you liked it.

[@alexcameron_]

Great technique, thank you for sharing

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure

[@craftdipper]

Great techniques! I learnt a lot - thank you 👌

[@gelwithmark]

Glad to help.

[@LarkOnWheels]

That is astonishing! Can’t wait to try it!

[@gelwithmark]

@@LarkOnWheels thanks.

[@stewartwhittier3455]

Wonderful! Great colors! Exciting!

[@gelwithmark]

Cheers 👍🏻

[@ivanabowes1305]

I love watching your process and how you explain it so clearly. Thank you, its all very helpful.

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@kateveneroso5754]

Again a terrifically whacky image wedded to a great technique ,ah be still my beathing heart! Thank you !!! , Often I will see a techinqur which does not enhance the image, or add to the emotional tenor of the piece. indeed double Brilliant.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@maryrjfitz]

Wow…an amazing technique! Thanks!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@JoseCruz-ds6ko]

An excellent print!!!

[@gelwithmark]

@@JoseCruz-ds6ko thanks

[@LorraineCasey-m1t]

Fantastic video Mark, really inspiring can’t wait to try this it opens up so many possibilities.You really explained it well .The silences are grand, and your voice is easy on the ears.Look forward to watching more of your videos.Thanks for sharing.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you. I’m glad you have founds some value in what I’m sharing.

[@mariepaxson1699]

Wow! I just ordered a gelli plate and can’t wait to get started. I was so nervous when you covered everything with the pink paint (gorgeous color, BTW). I was sure it was going to bleed into the lavender color. Great video, very inspiring

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. As long as the layer’s underneath are dry you won’t really get bleed. Hope you have fun with experimenting with the gel plate, it’s a very enjoyable hobby!

[@randikuhne1649]

Very cool! Thanks!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks for watching.

[@tracygillard7388]

That’s amazing. There were a couple of things for me to try there. I also Love the registration tape idea.

[@gelwithmark]

Hope you have fun trying the things out.

[@apple369]

Thanks for sharing, Mark. I like your style.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@chachachoochoo]

I just found your channel. I enjoy watching you work. I also enjoy the fact that you have no music.The instruction with your lovely accent is organic. Thank you for sharing

[@gelwithmark]

@@chachachoochoo thank you. Your welcome.

[@philb2263]

So enjoyed this. Feeling inspired now

[@gelwithmark]

Cool. Glad to hear it!

[@azmandoo1572]

Amazing work your teaching us,so thank you 🙏🤗🙌🏻

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you, it’s my pleasure.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

This is fantastic!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@Samantha_tookey197]

I love it! I’m so excited to try mine now! ❤

[@gelwithmark]

@@Samantha_tookey197 have fun.

[@martyhenshaw7122]

I like this process, very unique combination of color. That’s thinking outside the box!

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@SitaraKanhai]

You are so neat and keep everything so clean! This is an amazing process and had to write the steps down to try. Awesome videos and super helpful. Can't wait for more videos! Thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

Haha I have to been neat as my printing studio is my kitchen dining table so I have to pack everything away each time I print 😩

[@magistra137]

This is brilliant! I would buy it in a gallery if I saw it and had some money. This is the second video of yours that I’ve watched and I enjoyed both immensely. Your voice has a beautiful deep timber that is relaxing without being boring or making anyone want to go to sleep. But, really, it’s all about the art, isn’t it? I love the images you find. I think how you then use them and a gel plate to create interesting, mesmerizing art is nothing short of brilliant! Of course, I immediately subscribed. I can’t wait to try this technique myself and I really want to thank you for being so generous as to share your techniques with the world. Oh, and silence is fine with me. I’m usually concentrating deeply with you with slightly held breath so the silence feels natural. I am a huge fan now and I can’t wait to see what’s next!!

[@gelwithmark]

Well that’s a very kind and generous message, thank you. I’m glad you like what I share and find value in it. I haven’t done a video for a while but I’ve plans of a few coming up, I just have to make the prints and to video the process so watch this space. Thanks for subscribing it’s appreciated 🙂

[@casper8577]

I love your art style! Very interesting

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@truthoverfiction777]

That is complete awesomeness, l will definitely be trying this so many endless possibilities you can try with this technique 👍👍👍❤️

[@gelwithmark]

@@truthoverfiction777 glad it’s given you some inspiration.

[@feverdreamer6870]

Wooowww! So inspiring. I love that screen print look too, but want to be able to draw marks and paint with a brush, so this is perfect, thank you for teaching!

[@gelwithmark]

@@feverdreamer6870 your welcome

[@cw4608]

I have learned quite a bit watching your video today. I like the pace and the way you explain what you are doing and why. Super neat, thanks so much!

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you. Glad to help and happy you like my content. Cheers

[@clairebeech9006]

Great video, lots of tips - I think my gel plates just got a new lease of life! Thanks so much😊

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks for the comment and watching, I truly appreciate it! If you haven’t already, you might like to watch some of my other content, they might spark more ideas too. 🙂

[@clairebeech9006]

@@gelwithmark yes, I definitely intend to :-)

[@gelwithmark]

@@clairebeech9006 cool, let me know if you find value in them. 👍🏻

[@theflamingpearl]

Very cool process and image👍👍👍

[@gelwithmark]

Many thanks

[@vivienblignaut7959]

Oh wow!I would love to try this.

[@gelwithmark]

@@vivienblignaut7959 give it a go!

[@felicitycrowe6971]

Amazing!

[@gelwithmark]

@@felicitycrowe6971 thanks

[@katherinemorgan560]

Thank you :) a thoughtful and very effective use of the materials, very well explained, I love your approach to the gel plate.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you for the message, that’s kind of you to say. Glad you liked it.

[@Olhamo]

don't apologize for the silences. your process, and you sharing it, close-up is enough.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@lalaso22]

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed watching and learning

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. No problem.

[@jellymiu]

Super cool! Thanks for sharing

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. My pleasure.

[@kylieb4836]

What an amazing result ! Thanks for sharing !!

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure Thanks

[@lindastclair-ow6ch]

That's amazing

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks

[@gerirussell7180]

Impressive. You are a great teacher. Thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.

[@lindyashford7744]

Happy without music, I like to be able to retain what you say about your process. Your results are awesome, and while your subject matter is not what I would choose to use your prints are really interesting so I could see them in use in many different ways. As the originals are quite labour intensive I could see them in some form of reproduction as a genre in their own right! Thanks for always making gel printing more interesting. I am returning to view things again - after some excavation my laser printer might just be usable, and I like precise detail which is quite hard to extract from a gel plate. With the help of some really great gel artists yourself included I am getting my head around process that suits what I want to make. I love it that your own work always does that and you seem capable of cutting through and getting something that is always your own.

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks for your kind message. Yes I can see how my imagery might not be for everyone but I’m glad you can see past this and learn from my processes I’m sharing. Fingers crossed on the laserjet prints, I’ve made a slightly alternative method of using laserjet prints on sticker backing paper if you haven’t seen it? I’m also in the process of setting up a website where I will be selling my original prints along side giclee reproductions of them too.

[@lindyashford7744]

@@gelwithmark would be interested to know whether you prefer handpainting onto the gel plate, or using pens like posca or maybe sharpies? I find the posca’s take an age to dry! I love the way you layer your work, have been doing the same but finding there is definitely a learning curve where drying and getting a successful pull is concerned. Also the type of paper seems to matter… I really enjoy your prints, I just would not make them myself. I love quite graphic imagery though.

[@gelwithmark]

@@lindyashford7744 I use a hairdryer a lot so I’m not just waiting around for posca to dry, yes they can take a while just from air drying. I like to combine the different materials, I haven’t ever made a print solely from just using posca’s I always combine them with paint, I’ve only dabbled with sharpies, but I do like how they come out on a print also though but I only have a limited selection of colours so that’s why I haven’t really done more experimentation with them. Drying time is key, in my opinion and experience for a really successful and clean pull. If I’m applying alot of layers, and I mainly do, I’ll leave the paper on the plate over night, with a weight on top as well, this would probably be around 6-7hrs and I generally get a clean pull. I also use heavy weight paper, somewhere between 220-300gsm.

[@didodebeer1960]

Wow Mark amazing. I am going to try this with Molotov pens. Really love the video’s don’t apologize. They are a sort of meditation, looking at the gell plate and seeing the result. Keep on doing it this way.

[@didodebeer1960]

I did one with Molotov acrylic pens after seeing your video and it worked as well. Also the hairdryer…

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks that’s great feedback to hear. I’ve used a Molotov pen before, the big 30mm one and it worked fine for me so you shouldn’t have any trouble I wouldn’t think!

[@didodebeer1960]

@@gelwithmark I pulled a little bit too early so a bit distressed picture bit looks really good even with the distortion

[@gelwithmark]

@@didodebeer1960 cool, glad it’s working for you.

[@lynnetteyoung6007]

You persuaded me to purchase these ...... so versatile. Thank you.

[@gelwithmark]

Glad I could help.

[@penkakostadinova9136]

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing!❤️🌹

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure. Thanks

[@staceface4303]

This is incredible!!! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. I'm so excited to try this. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@gelwithmark]

No problem, thanks. Hope you have fun.

[@kikibalden7462]

Very cool,thank you for the lovely tutorial! I have subscribed and look forward to learning from you

[@gelwithmark]

@@kikibalden7462 thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@lauradarcy5684]

Love this! so instructional! Thank you!

[@gelwithmark]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Observatoriumyum]

Ohhh!!! I’ve been watching your videos forever and everything you do is so so inspiring. This is incredible

[@nattyw495]

Enjoyed video and watching your creative process,liked color combinations..thank you for showing us how to attemp this type of art form..💛✍🎨🇨🇦🇺🇲💛

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure. Glad you liked it.

[@karenjacobs3775]

Thank you for showing us all the possibilities.

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@andrewknapp703]

Great video. Thanks Mark

[@gelwithmark]

My pleasures

[@patchase4773]

Amazing work!! Love it.

[@gelwithmark]

Thank you, that’s very kind 🙏🏼

[@joannayoung4578]

Not my usual style but I love it, it's really cool!

[@gelwithmark]

@@joannayoung4578 thanks

[@PetaloudesTouYialou]

This was a really interesting technique for me, bc I like flat colour & strong lines. The colours are great, btw, and the image is very amusing. 😂

[@gelwithmark]

Thanks. Yes I’m the same it’s hard to get a universal flat colour on the plate but it is achievable with a few layers of paint. I’ve recently started experimenting with water based spray paint so this is easier for larger areas like the final background colour.