Gel Plate Printing:
Thinking Backwards to See Differently
This course explores gel printing as both a creative technique and a way to practice flexible, experimental thinking.
A creative process that helps you think differently
This course is for artists, designers, and curious professionals who want to explore creativity through hands-on experimentation.
Gel plate printing is one of the most approachable forms of printmaking, and a surprisingly powerful exercise in creative thinking.
Instead of painting an image directly, you build it backwards, layering colors and textures before revealing the final print.
That reversal changes how your brain approaches creative problem solving.
The process encourages experimentation, surprise, and discovery, making it a powerful creative exercise for anyone who wants more creative confidence and new ways of seeing.
Gel plate printing is one of the most approachable forms of printmaking, and a surprisingly powerful exercise in creative thinking.
Instead of painting an image directly, you build it backwards, layering colors and textures before revealing the final print.
That reversal changes how your brain approaches creative problem solving.
The process encourages experimentation, surprise, and discovery, making it a powerful creative exercise for anyone who wants more creative confidence and new ways of seeing.
Why This Approach Works
Art has a unique ability to surface ideas that structured thinking often misses.
In this course, you’ll explore creativity through hands-on artmaking and then connect what you discovered to powerful methods used in design thinking and innovation.
What You'll Explore
Thinking in layers
Gel printing works in reverse. You’ll learn how building images layer by layer changes the way you approach composition and experimentation.
Experimenting without overthinking
Gel printing encourages trying things, observing the results, and adjusting as you go.
Discovering unexpected textures
Simple tools, plants, and found objects create surprising marks and patterns.
Working with constraint and surprise
Gel printing limits what you can control, which is exactly what makes it powerful for creative exploration.
Recognizing emerging images
As layers build, shapes and compositions begin to appear. Learning to notice these moments is part of the creative process.
Seeing differently
Many people discover that this technique shifts how they observe patterns, composition, and visual relationships.
Gel Printing in Iceland
In 2023 I was invited to an art retreat in Iceland. Each artist was asked to bring a technique we could share with the group.
Right away, I thought of gel printing: it's immediate, easy, requires minimal supplies, and produces very satisfying results.
The other artists had never tried it before, but within a few hours the room was covered with prints: layers of color, textures from plants and found objects, and unexpected compositions emerging from the process.
Many of the artists are still actively using gel printing in their work, and several of us get together regularly to gel print with no goal or finished art in mind - just revisiting the process, stretching our brains, and enjoying what the gel plates can do.
Right away, I thought of gel printing: it's immediate, easy, requires minimal supplies, and produces very satisfying results.
The other artists had never tried it before, but within a few hours the room was covered with prints: layers of color, textures from plants and found objects, and unexpected compositions emerging from the process.
Many of the artists are still actively using gel printing in their work, and several of us get together regularly to gel print with no goal or finished art in mind - just revisiting the process, stretching our brains, and enjoying what the gel plates can do.
What this course includes
Whether you already consider yourself creative or are just curious, this course has everything you need to get started on your gel printing journey.
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Step-by-step demonstrations: Clear instruction videos for each technique
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Creative experiments: Exercises designed to stretch how you see
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Material guides: Details about the simple tools and supplies required, and where to get them
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Lifetime access: Return to the lessons any time
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Curious community: Optional space to share work and ideas
About the Instructor
Emily Holmes is a mixed-media artist, design strategist, and facilitator who helps people develop creative thinking skills through hands-on art practices.
Her work combines visual art, design thinking, and curiosity-driven experimentation. Emily has led creativity and innovation workshops for organizations including NASA, Microsoft, Oracle, The Nature Conservancy, and many Fortune 500 companies. Her work helps people use observation, experimentation, and visual thinking to generate new ideas and approach problems from fresh perspectives.
Alongside her consulting work, Emily maintains an active art practice creating stained glass, mixed-media collage and paintings, and metalsmithing work that is sold online and in galleries. She previously founded a stained glass studio whose handcrafted work was carried in more than 500 galleries worldwide. In 2024 she was awarded a North Carolina Artist Grant in recognition of her artistic work.
Through Curious, Emily explores how artistic processes strengthen imagination, observation, and problem-solving, helping people reconnect with their creativity and apply it to their work and lives.
Her work combines visual art, design thinking, and curiosity-driven experimentation. Emily has led creativity and innovation workshops for organizations including NASA, Microsoft, Oracle, The Nature Conservancy, and many Fortune 500 companies. Her work helps people use observation, experimentation, and visual thinking to generate new ideas and approach problems from fresh perspectives.
Alongside her consulting work, Emily maintains an active art practice creating stained glass, mixed-media collage and paintings, and metalsmithing work that is sold online and in galleries. She previously founded a stained glass studio whose handcrafted work was carried in more than 500 galleries worldwide. In 2024 she was awarded a North Carolina Artist Grant in recognition of her artistic work.
Through Curious, Emily explores how artistic processes strengthen imagination, observation, and problem-solving, helping people reconnect with their creativity and apply it to their work and lives.
FAQ
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Do I need printmaking experience?
No experience is required. Gel plate printing is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require a press or specialized equipment. If you enjoy experimenting with paint and textures, you’ll be able to follow along easily.
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What materials do I need?
You’ll need a gel printing plate, acrylic paint, paper, and a few simple tools like brayers, stencils (cut paper will work!), and found objects for texture. A detailed supply list will be provided so you can gather everything before you start.
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How long is the course?
The course includes 2+ hours of video lessons that walk through the core techniques step by step. You will likely find yourself spending much longer experimenting and creating prints.
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Is this self-paced?
Yes. You can move through the lessons at your own pace and return to them any time. Many people like to watch a lesson, try a few prints, and then come back later for the next technique.
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Who is this course for?
This course is for artists, designers, and curious thinkers who enjoy hands-on experimentation. It’s especially helpful if you want to loosen up creatively, explore new textures and compositions, or try a printmaking technique that encourages discovery rather than perfection.
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Will there be a community space?
Yes. Students will have access to a Curious community space where you can share prints, ask questions, and see what others are creating. Participation is optional, but it can be a great source of ideas and encouragement.
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What will the course cost?
Pricing will be announced when enrollment opens. Courses like this typically fall in the $95–$185 range, depending on the length and depth of the material
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When will the course be available?
The course is currently in development and expected to launch later this year. If you join the interest list, you’ll be notified when enrollment opens and may receive early access or launch pricing.
Curiosity required. Art degree optional.
You don’t need to be an artist to benefit from this process. Gel printing encourages experimentation, observation, and creative thinking... skills that translate far beyond the studio.