Collagraph is a printmaking technique that has evolved as an experimental process involving layering and glueing. This technique is quite simple to understand and can be picked up quickly. The resulting images are visually rich, painterly and textured.
To create a collagraph print, you start by making a printing plate out of materials like card, Polyfilla, PVA glue, wood glue, carborundum, fabric, natural materials, or acrylic floor varnish. These materials are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
Once you have your printing plate, you can start to build up the image by adding more layers of materials. This can be done by gluing different textures, shapes, or colours onto the plate. You can use anything from string and lace to sand and leaves to create interesting textures and patterns.
Once the plate is complete, ink is applied to the surface, filling in the areas between the raised textures. Then, a sheet of paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink onto the paper and creating a print.
The beauty of collagraph printing is that the resulting prints are one-of-a-kind and have a unique texture and character. It's an affordable and accessible printmaking technique that can be easily adapted to fit any style or skill level.
Details
All materials are provided
Saturday 3rd June 2023 - 10am-4pm
Sunday 4th June 2023 - 10am-4pm
Designed for beginners and those with some experience. During this course you will be given a hands-on introduction to etching on Copper. You will be shown how to make your own prints using a variety of techniques under the guidance of your experienced tutor.
Etching is a medium with a long and varied history and can produce prints with great detail, richness and texture. The aim of this course is to give you an idea of the possibilities of the medium and a thorough introduction to working with hard and soft grounds (line, pattern and texture) as well as Aquatints (tones).
What you will achieve by the end: You will leave with a small edition of etchings and a foundation on how to create editions of your image to share with others or adding to the growth of your printmaking and artistic practice.