Updates from Diana Garrison

Adding a Little Spice to Your Prints

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:07:38 CDT

Sometimes a layered print just needs a little something extra. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I share a simple toothpick trick for adding small dots of saturated color to bring a little spark back into your prints.

Exploring Red and Pink and Blue

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:37:00 CDT

A simple set of color tests can reveal a lot before you commit to a final print. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I share how testing different reds, pinks, and blues for my grandson Elliot’s birthday prints led to some surprisingly different results.

Glazing to Bring It Together

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:22:00 CDT

A simple glaze can completely shift how a layered gel print feels. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I share how adding a translucent light purple layer softened stark white areas and gently unified the entire composition.

Collaging Between the Layers

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:18:00 CDT

Collaging between layers can happen two ways: using the gel plate to apply the paper, or gluing directly to the print when the composition calls for it. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I share how I decide which method to use and why edges can change the plan.

When White Works Wonders

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:19:02 CDT

A dark background, a piece of white collage paper, and a final layer that might have disappeared. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I share how adding white at the right moment helped a color show up—and why contrast matters more than you might think.

A Sticky Situation: Adding Collage Paper to a Gel Print

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:52:00 CDT

A Sticky Situation: Ever tried adding collage paper directly to a gel print from the plate? Here’s what I learned and how to avoid a sticky mess.

Looking for a Good Mardi Gras Combo?

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 11:35:00 CDT

An unlikely color combo turned into a perfect Mardi Gras palette. In this Quick Tip Tuesday, I’m sharing how hooker’s green, magenta, and metallic gold layered together—and why order matters more than you think.

The Quiet Power of Opacity

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 19:23:00 CDT

A quick look at how paint opacity affects layered gel prints. Using the same base color, this Quick Tip shows how transparent, semi-opaque, and opaque paints behave differently—and why it’s worth paying attention.

Simple Handwriting & Drawing Transfers on the Gel Plate

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:27:00 CDT

A super simple way to transfer handwriting and drawings onto your gel plate using pencil, charcoal, or soft pastel—no paint or medium needed for the transfer step (plus an easy cleanup tip).

How I Store My Masks and Stencils

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:01:00 CDT

Ever wonder how an artist with lots of masks and stencils keeps them organized? In today's Quick Tip Tuesday, I’m sharing the simple, somewhat messy, real-life storage system I use in my studio — plus one important tip that will save your stencils from sticking (and tearing!).