Adding Final Layers To A Gelli Print Painting
If you've been following along, you'll know we're in the final part of our three-part series, where I show you how to use Gelli-printed papers created with stencils and stamps and layer them into a finished painting.
In part one, I walked you through mixing a custom paint palette using Pantone colours as inspiration. We used those paints with some really lovely stencils and stamps to create gorgeous Gelli-printed papers. Then, in part two, we used those papers to create the background layer of our painting.
And now, in today's tutorial, we're bringing it all together! I'll be showing you how to add the final layers using botanical elements, coloured pencils, and paint—some of my favourite ways to add depth and detail to a piece.This painting has lots of layers and techniques to explore, from sanding back areas to layering multiple prints, and I think you'll find it really interesting.
Can't wait for you to see the process!
Watch the full video tutorial here:
Materials You’ll Need:
Gelli Print Painting:
Mounted onto a wood panel or another solid base.
Sandpaper:
Fine sandpaper is perfect to gently reveal details in your collage.
Tissue Paper Prints:
I used prints made with Maruishi paper. Their translucency makes them brilliant for layering! You'll also need a clear-drying adhesive and paintbrush to apply them to the print. I also like using a Catalyst Wedge to gently smooth out the print and a nail file/emery board to trim the edges.
Acrylic Paint:
Whether you go for subtle tones or bold pops, try to pull from colours already in your painting to bring everything together. You'll also need tools like a paint roller, palette, and palette knife. I also like to have paper towel and a spray bottle of water handy for smudging and softening the paint.
Coloured Pencils:
Great for intensifying details already in your print. Choose shades that complement your painting, plus a white pencil for highlights.
Acrylic Paint Marker:
I use a fine-tip Posca marker for adding delicate details.
Gloss Medium & Sealant:
I used a gloss medium to seal my painting followed by a UV Gloss Varnish for a shiny finish. If you prefer a more matte look, you can use Satin Varnish or Cold Wax. If you want to intensify the gloss, you can finish your painting with Resin.
Sanding
I’m going to start by gently sanding back certain areas of the painting. Now, you don’t want to use anything too coarse—fine sandpaper will do the trick. Sanding helps to reveal some of the underlying details, giving the piece a more organic, time-worn feel.
Just take your time with it, working lightly until you start to see the effect coming through. It’s such a simple technique, but it can make a real difference to the final look of your painting!
Layering with Botanical Prints
I’ve printed some beautiful botanical elements onto Maruishi paper, which is absolutely lovely to use as a final layer in your painting. The translucent quality of the paper allows the details underneath to peek through, creating a delicate layered effect.
To begin, I take my printed tissue paper elements and move them around on the piece until I find the perfect spots. Once I'm happy with the placement and the composition looks balanced, I brush a thin layer of glue onto the surface beneath. Then I gently lay down the top half of the tissue paper, while holding the bottom in my hand.
Starting at the top, I work my way down with the brush and apply a thin layer of glue, gently holding the paper in place as I work towards the bottom. It’s really important to hold the tissue taut as you go, as this will help prevent any wrinkles from forming while you work.
I let the excess paper hang off the edge for now, as I’ll file it off once it’s dry. Next, I use my catalyst wedge to carefully smooth out the tissue—being mindful not to press too hard because the paper is so delicate.
I repeat this process on the next piece, and once everything’s dry, I file the edges to tidy it all up.
Adding Paint Layers
Now that the botanical prints are on, I take a moment to step back and assess the overall look. I realise I'm not particularly fond of the edges along my first print—there’s something about them that doesn’t quite sit right. I don’t mind them in the second, but the first isn't working for me.
To fix it, I decide to take my paint roller and gently go over this area with a soft duck-egg blue, a colour I’ve already used in the print.
These final layers are all about making small adjustments until everything feels balanced and just right.
Once the paint is applied, I like to use a palette knife to create a bit of texture. Next, I gently blot the area with paper towel, gently lifting excess paint and softening the effect. Then I lightly mist the surface with a spray bottle of water, further softening and smudging the paint to acheive a lovely, soft look.
TIP: Be careful not to oversaturate the paper, as it could become too wet and tear.
Adding Detail With Coloured Pencil
Next, I use a coloured pencil to enhance some of the details in the print. To do this, I choose a teal coloured pencil to intensify the teal tones in the background.
TIP: Sometimes, when adding details like this, the surface can be shiny from the adhesive, making it difficult for the pencil to grip. If that happens, I add a thin layer of clear Gesso and allow it to dry. It provides texture, or "tooth," for the pencil to grip onto.
As I continue, I intensify other elements in the design with pink and orange coloured pencil. These little pops of colour make a big difference, tying the composition together. I move around the piece, rotating it occasionally to get a fresh perspective and see which areas could use a little extra attention.
To finish, I use a white coloured pencil to add highlights. Enhancing details like this really brings the painting to life!
Adding Detail with Acrylic Paint Marker
Acrylic paint marker is another favourite tool for adding finer details to a painting. Here I'm using a fine-tip Posca paint marker in white.
Afterwards, I gently blot the paint with a paper towel to soften the effect.
Sealing The Painting
Once I’m happy with all my embellishments and the overall composition, the final—and important—step is to sealing the piece.
Some of my favourite options for sealing include UV Gloss Varnish (or Satin Varnish for a less glossy look) and Cold Wax for an archival finish with a soft, matte look. Another option I love is resin, which creates a smooth, glossy finish—check out my tutorial on using resin over Gelli prints for more details!
For this piece, I’m using UV Gloss Varnish. I typically start with a layer of gloss medium to seal everything first and once it's dry, I apply a layer of varnish for a lovely, shiny finish.
Final Touches
As always, I like to let the painting sit for a few days before making my final decision on whether it's truly finished. Though I was quite happy with the outcome, after filming, I added a few more touches, including pink acrylic and Neocolor pastels. I also painted the sides of the panel in pink to complete the look.
I hope you’ve enjoyed following along! I also hope this inspires you to experiment with adding layers and details to your own Gelli print paintings!
If you’d like to learn more, sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a new tutorial. I also offer a FREE course called The Essence of Landscape, where you can learn even more about how to turn your prints into finished paintings.
Happy Printing!