Ota Azalea Part 3 – Gelli Plate Monoprint Backgrounds
When most people think of a woodblock print, they naturally focus on the carved image. But before the first impression of the bonsai is ever printed, another important decision shapes the final artwork—the background.
For the Ota Azalea YouTube series, I wanted backgrounds that were alive with movement and color rather than the woodblock itself. The bonsai already possesses remarkable rhythm through its branching structure and flowing silhouette. The background needed to support that energy without competing with it. Rather than painting directly onto paper, I chose to work with a **gelli plate** to create a collection of one-of-a-kind monoprint backgrounds.
Why a Gelli Plate?
A gelli plate is a wonderfully direct printmaking surface. Pastel drawing and Acrylic paint are rolled onto the plate and manipulated with stencils, texture tools, or simple mark making before the image is transferred to paper. Unlike traditional relief printing, every pull from the plate is unique.
This unpredictability is exactly what makes the process exciting. Unexpected textures, soft transitions, and subtle color changes often appear that could never be planned completely in advance. Instead of fighting those surprises, I try to recognize opportunities when they occur. The result is a background that already contains its own visual life before the woodblock image is added.
Building Layers
One of the strengths of gelli printing is layering. Each new layer can partially reveal what came before while adding fresh color, texture, and depth. Some layers become almost invisible, yet they still influence the overall harmony of the finished print.
During this process I experimented with:
* Controlled color harmonies inspired by “A Dictionary of Color Combinations”
* Transfer of Pastel to Gelli Plate
* Stencils that introduced both organic and geometric shapes
Rather than trying to duplicate one successful print, I allowed each background to develop its own personality. Some became quiet and atmospheric. Others became energetic and bold. Those differences will later influence which woodblock impressions work best on each sheet.
## Planning for the Final Print
At this stage, I am not trying to finish the artwork. Instead, I am creating possibilities. Each background becomes a candidate for the final woodblock print. Once the carved azalea is printed over these surfaces, completely new relationships begin to appear between the image and the underlying color. Sometimes a background that seems too busy on its own becomes perfect once the woodblock organizes the composition. Other times, a subtle background allows the bonsai to become the clear focal point. This dialogue between background and foreground is one of the aspects I enjoy most about combining monoprint and relief printmaking.
## Why I Enjoy This Process
As both a painter and printmaker, I enjoy working where planning and discovery meet. The woodblock provides structure, craftsmanship, and deliberate design. The gelli plate introduces spontaneity, texture, and surprise. Together they create images that neither process could produce alone. It reminds me that printmaking is not simply about reproducing an image—it is about exploring possibilities. Every pull of the press becomes another opportunity to discover something unexpected.
## Watch the Process
In Part 3 of the Ota Azalea series, I demonstrate how I create these monoprint backgrounds using a gelli plate, pastel drawing and acrylic layered textures. You’ll see how experimentation becomes an essential part of the creative process and how these backgrounds prepare the way for the finished woodblock prints.
In Part 4, the real transformation begins as the carved Ota Azalea woodblock is printed over these expressive backgrounds, revealing how relief printing and monoprint come together to create the finished artwork.
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**Have you experimented with gelli printing or combined different printmaking techniques? I’d enjoy hearing about your own experiences or answering any questions in the comments below.**
Other blogs in the The Ota Azalea Woodblock Series:
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https://www.patreon.com/ronreekers
