Gelli Arts® Printing with DIY Combs

Combs make such interesting patterns in Gel prints! Watch this video to see how easy it is to make your own combs from everyday materials!

Using combs ranks among my favorite methods for creating patterns and mark-making in 

monoprinting. In fact, I’ve included several examples in my new book, Gelli® Plate Printing, demonstrating how to make your own combs.

The comb is an effective tool for creating dynamic lined patterns. There are many durable 

materials that you can easily cut teeth into to create a comb tool. The fun is in making a bunch of custom combs that can produce an assortment of different lines and widths.

Among my favorite combs are those made from eraser caps! Placing the eraser cap on a 

pencil first makes it easier to handle while cutting. Work on a cutting surface, and use a craft knife to cut tiny V-shaped notches in the tip of the eraser. This creates a versatile mini-comb! Try using it for making cross-hatch marks… and all kinds of gestural swipes! Gotta love those tiny lines! Great for making gestural lines and marks!

TIP: It’s best to avoid letting acrylic paint dry on this tool, but if it does, use your craft knife to carve out any dried paint that may become clogged between the comb’s teeth.

Erasers are perfect for turning into combs! Simply cut notches out of the edge of an eraser 

with a craft knife—and you’re good to go! If you carve your own stamps, you may have some left-over carving material. That’s perfect for making combs too!

Old credit cards, hotel keys and other laminated plastic cards are great for making into combs and scrapers! Sharp scissors are a good choice for making your cuts. But avoid making pointy teeth, as they could scratch the surface of the Gelli® plate.

Another fun method for making combs is to use decorative edge scissors on a piece of cardboard (like cereal boxes) or craft foam. Simply cut straight across with wavy or zigzag scissors for an instant comb!

There are so many materials you can use to make your own collection of combs! And they’re fast and easy to make! Try a few and have fun making fabulous combed prints! To create monotypes with your DIY combs, simply swipe the combs through the wet paint on a Gelli® plate, cover with paper, rub to transfer the paint and pull your print. Have fun exploring different ways to create lined patterns! (For more combing ideas, see blog: “Wipe Out Monoprinting“)

 

FYI– Materials used to create the prints in the video:

• DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
• 8″ Round Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate
• Speedball 4″ Soft Rubber Pop-in Brayer
• 12″x12″ scrapbooking card stock (white and black)
• Assorted DIY comb tools

This Contest is officially CLOSED 

And we have a SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!!! Including an autographed copy of my new book, Gelli Plate Printing!

               

• 1- 8″ Round Gelli Arts® Gel Printing Plate
• 1- Gelli Plate Printing — book, by Joan Bess
• 15- DecoArt Media® Fluid Acrylics in 1 oz. bottles

Leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts on the blog  – we love hearing your feedback. 

To enter the giveaway, click on the red “ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE” button below! (This will ensure that we can contact the winner and that entries are limited to one per person. One winner will be selected from all the entries via a random number generator to receive this fabulous giveaway!) 

Entries will be accepted until Monday, Sept. 22nd at 12 noon. Our lucky winner will be contacted by email and announced here on the blog and on our Facebook page no later than Sept. 22nd at 5 pm!

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 
This Contest is officially CLOSED

And a special thanks to our friends at DecoArt® for generously donating the paint for this 

giveaway! 

Good Luck and Happy Printing!