TRANSFORM COLLAGE PAPERS INTO FINISHED BOTANICAL FINE ART

Whether you’re experienced with Gelli printing or picking up a brayer for the first time, this course takes you past the pile of pretty papers and into completed work — layered, compositionally rich, and unmistakably yours..

ENROLL NOW $140

Join 650+ students worldwide celebrating beauty beyond the traditionally pretty

TAKE A PEEK INTO THE COURSE:


You’ve probably bought an online course you never finished.
Most people have — the average completion rate is below 20%.

This one is different. 80% of students finish the full course.
Many come back to watch again and again.
Come find out why they stay.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


All lessons available immediately when you purchase.
Discover the material at your own pace.
Re-visit it anytime you like.

ENROLL NOW $140

"Rachel’s intuitive approach to art making is inspiring. With years of experience in gel plate printing, she brings infectious enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge to the table. Her exuberance shines through in everything she does. Don’t miss the opportunity to benefit from her expertise."

—Bibby Gignilliat

ENROLL NOW $140

A GLIMPSE OF WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

The workshop will take you way beyond the Gelli basics, guiding you step-by-step through the creation of richly layered, completed works of botanical fine art.

  • A BRAND NEW LENS: Learn composition and design principles inspired by Ikebana —Japanese Flower Arranging.

  • CONFIDENCE IN CHOOSING BOTANICALS: Learn which botanicals work best, which don’t, why, and how to make beautiful prints using simple, easily accessible plants.

  • MASTERY OF TECHNIQUES: From basic Gelli printing to advanced layering and 3D techniques you won’t believe are possible.

  • BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS: Insight into both improvisation and decision-making as I create two pieces of art from start to finish.

  • A “LOVE FIRST” APPROACH TO PROCESS:: Turn the volume up on what you love. Hone your visual vocabulary in unexpected ways, rather than just copying techniques.

ALL LEVELS WELCOME

If you have a passion for botanicals, an interest in Gelli plate printing, or a desire to hone your own artistic vision, this class is for you.

Beginners will be able to easily follow along with the clear instruction and a brief module on the basics.

More advanced students will walk away with new techniques and ways of seeing

WHAT MATERIALS
WILL I NEED?

A detailed materials PDF with links to all materials, the necessary and the optional, will be provided upon registration. You’ll need a Gelli plate (I’ll be working with 8 x 10 inch plates in the workshop), brayers (rollers), paints in your favorite colors and your favorite papers including some translucent papers. Everything beyond that is optional.

ENROLL NOW $140


COURSE OUTLINE

The workshop is divided into 22 bite-sized lessons across 8 modules, designed to be re-watched over and over. There are 3 hours of instruction. The longest lesson is 22 minutes. The shortest is under five minutes. There is also a 25 page PDF with supporting class notes and clickable links to all materials.

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

  • New Eyes and Old Loves

  • Materials and Mindset

BASICS & TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Basics of Gelli Printing

  • Gelli Plate Cleaning

  • Common Pitfalls & Solutions

GARDEN INSPIRATION

  • Garden Walkthrough

  • Ikebana Demo

PLAY

  • How Not to Play - A Cautionary Tale

  • Leaning Into Your Favorite Things

  • Honing Your Visual Vocabulary

  • 3D Technique

  • Humble Materials, Powerful Results

VALUES

  • Strong Value Differences

  • Closer Values & Improv

LAYERS & EDGES

  • Thinking About History

  • Working with Fragile Layers

  • Dancing Between Layers

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

WRAP UP & WHAT’S NEXT

BONUSES

  • Rachel’s Curated List for Ongoing Learning

  • A Painting from Start to Finish

ENROLL NOW $140

WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY:

Libby Skamfer
“Just WOW! Loved, loved, loved your workshop. The pace is fabulous. Your articulation is spot on, inspiring, clear and confident. You are a true meant-to-be teacher/presenter. Few online courses offer class notes. These are essential to rounding out a thorough, in-depth offering. Yours have done so with remarkable skill. It’s my privilege to learn from you.”

Lorie Sadler
“I take LOTS of online classes and Rachel’s is truly outstanding. What I love is the process — the way she walks us through the garden picking out the best botanicals, how she lets us know what’s in her head every step of the way as she creates her beautiful completed work. I now know what to do with my piles of collage papers to make finished work I can frame and sell. It’s a home run!”

Mary Moquin
“As an experienced printmaker, I’m familiar with similar processes — and I keep saying yes! Yes! My mind is dissecting the process with each piece. This isn’t just about learning techniques, but how to make those techniques serve your vision. That’s what makes work authentic.”

Hannah Hunter
“You have a beautiful way of combining technique with the psychology of making. As I watched the videos, I felt as if you were right there in the room with me, teaching the way the best conversations work — direct, generous, and completely absorbing.”

Deb Eisenman
“The course gave me permission to be bolder, take more risks, and trust my instincts. The teaching is woven in so naturally you almost don’t notice how much you’re learning — until you realize everything has shifted.”

HI, I’M RACHEL

I’m a fine artist working from ICB ART in Sausalito, with 30 years of Sogetsu ikebana shaping how I see and teach. As a retired psychologist, I know what gets in the way of making — and how to help you get past it.

FAQS:

  • Gelli printing is a form of printmaking using a gelatin-like plate to create beautiful, layered prints. Yes, you will need a Gelli plate. I will be working with 8 x 10 inch Gelli plates during the class. The techniques I’ll be sharing can be used on any sized plate.

    While there are recipes online for making your own Gelli plate, I have never used them and will not be covering those recipes in this workshop.

  • No prior experience is necessary. The course is designed for both beginners and experienced artists.

  • You’ll have access to all the lessons as long as I’m an artist. Hopefully a very long time!

  • The course is self-paced. You can revisit the lessons as many times as you need.

  • A detailed materials PDF with links to all materials, the necessary and the optional, will be provided upon registration. You’ll need a Gelli plate (I’ll be working with 8 x 10 inch plates in the workshop), brayers (rollers), paints in your favorite colors and your favorite papers including some translucent papers. Everything beyond that is optional.

  • The course costs $140

  • There are 3 ½ hours worth of lessons overall divided into 8 modules and 24 lessons. The longest lesson is 22 minutes long and the shortest is two minutes. While the course could be completed in about 8 to 10 hours if you worked along with me, I’d recommend taking your time, and pacing yourself to get the most out of it.

  • You’ll have instant access to all lessons. You can binge watch (sometimes people find this helpful to get an overview) or take your time. People often find it helpful to repeat particular lessons. It can be a lot to take in at once.

  • The course is pre-recorded and is hosted online on the Thinkific course platform. Those who sign up will get an individual private account and password to access the course.

    There are eight video modules consisting of 22 lessons. 3 hours of lessons in all. The longest lesson is 22 minutes, The shortest, under five minutes. There are lesson notes following each lesson and also a PDF which includes all the lesson notes plus additional information and links to all necessary and optional materials.

    As long as you have high speed internet, you can watch the videos whenever and wherever you want, as many times as you want. Binge them all at once or revisit particular lessons over and over - your choice.

  • You do not. The course can be accessed on any internet browser.

  • Here’s where you can check the price of the course in any currency.

  • Yes, you will need a good internet connection to view the course content.

  • The course content is for you only. I’m sure once you see the course, you’ll appreciate how much time and energy went into preparing it. The content is copyright Rachel Davis. You are more than welcome to share the work you do in this class on social media and if you do - I request that you mention me @racheldavisart.bayarea

  • I don’t offer refunds. On occasion I offer sales. During the first month the course is available it will cost $95 - going up to the regular price of $130 after that.