How to Use VersaFine Clair Ink Pads on a Gel Plate | Art Journal Tutorial

It's been a little while since I've shared a blog post, but that certainly doesn't mean I've stopped creating. Today's project combines two things I love using in my craft room - gel printing and Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink pads.

VersaFine Clair ink pads are pigment based and remain open/wet longer, making them perfect on a gel plate, allowing you to build layers of colour and pattern, and you do not need a paint layer to pull a print. It's a quick and easy way to get more from the ink pads you already own.

After the release of the new colours - which I share a blog post about HERE - I wanted to think how else I can use them in the way I create. Rather than creating something purely for content, I wanted to use the inks alongside tools I genuinely reach for time and time again. That meant getting out the gel plate!

This blog post shares the process step by step, but I have also created a reel showing the technique in action, which you can watch further down the page.

Creating the background

Let's take a look at how the background came together.

I chose to use my 5"x7" gel plate as the finished background would fit perfectly in my small Dylusions black journal. It began by creating a quick first layer - adding one colour, Versafine Clair Melon Soda, with a brayer. This isn't about smooth blending but adding colour - embrace rough blending as it's a freebie texture.

Keeping to the same colour, I added some background stamping and then pulled the print.

Next, I stamped directly on to the plate using VersaFine Clair Adriatic Sea. I decided to stick with first generation stamping as wanted this layer to be "bold". If you want to get more from your ink, 2nd generation stamping is perfect for a gel plate too.

At this point I was in a bit of a quandary. Although I wanted this layer to stand out, it was a little too in-your-face. I needed to tone this layer down a little. Using some bubble wrap and VersaFine Clair Lemonade ink pad, I covered the bubble wrap, adding the design to the gel plate. Again I took another print.

For the final gel plate layer, I returned to VersaFine Clair Melon Soda and another background stamp.

Using the gel printed background

Now to leave the print to dry before using and to make sure I did just that - it's not that I'm impatient, it's because I'm excited to move on to the next step! On a piece of white card, I stamped out different images I thought would work with the background, coloured them and cut them out.

I haven't shared the process above, not because it was irrelevant or boring but because this post is more about using your ink pads in a different way with a different media. The stamped images used on the finished page are from my Art Inspirations stamp designs, which I felt worked perfectly with the layered gel printed background.

Voila ... the finished art journal design ...

I did also create a reel showing the full process and you can watch it HERE or click on the image below.

Supplies used for this project:

• Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink pads: Melon Soda, Adriatic Sea and Lemonade
• Gel plate (5" x 7")
• Art Inspirations stamps: It's A Good Year and Be Not Afraid Bloom
• Dylusions Black Creative Journal

One thing I haven't shared here is what I do with the leftover ink still sitting on the gel plate. I hate wasting supplies and can often get several extra prints from what's left behind. If you'd like to see that process, let me know in the comments and I'll put together another post.

I will be sharing another gel printed idea with VersaFine Clair ink pads, next week, so watch this space!

Until next time, take care,

Lou
xxx