I’ve barely posted anything recently but I’ve still been super creative and busy with a variety of projects, all that will be shared eventually.
Earlier this month I taught a one day collagraph workshop. It was fun but extremely busy and I’ve decided that the shortcuts taken to both create and print plates within a 6 hour window (where you also have to fit in lunch!) compromises the results more than I’m comfortable with. Don’t get me wrong, the participants had a terrific time and all achieved great results but with a very short drying time-span they were unable to take advantage of any of the gels and mediums now available. These products create amazing textures but usually have to dry overnight before applying ink – not an option for us.
Anyway, not to worry, they made use of both cutting into their print plate and well as adhering a variety of media to the surface, thereby achieving a good many layers and some textures to work with.
I started by showing a few of my samples and discussing what works, what to look out for and what to avoid.
I demonstrated inking up with oil-based inks.
They were soon working in both plain black and colour.
I only had time to briefly cover chine collé and masking, with a demonstration on one piece.
It was a fun, but full-on, day and the students worked very hard and left with good prints and a better understanding of the technique. I’ve already been asked to teach this for another group but, happily, it will be over 2 days.
Tactual Textiles by Claire 
How about doing an online class. I would love to do it.❤️❤️
Hi Vicki. I love on-line classes but won’t be teaching those myself. It’s a whole other set-up and I’d need to dedicate a lot of time to it. If you’re interested in a comprehensive on-line collagraph course look at Sally Hirst in the UK, you can’t get much better than her. https://sallyhirst.co.uk/printmakingcourses/
Your student’s have produced some lovely work. Congratulations. I’m not surprised you need two days. I’m close to ready to offer a workshop in my fresh plant collagraph technique. It will run over three days, two days for plate making, and a full day printing – the glues just take that long to cure. And our first day will be super busy.
One day is madness, so incredibly limiting but at least they got a ‘taster’ of the techniques and we might be able to run it for the same group over a longer period next time, hopefully.
Jacky, next year if I can get up to Queensland I’ll contact you to see when you’re running a collagraph course and see if I can be there at that time. Your work is so incredibly different to what I do and I’d love to be a student in one of your classes.
I’d be delighted to have you contact me. If a class doesn’t fit in, you could still visit my studio and a skill share, or something. It would be lovely to meet you.
That would be awesome. If I’m coming up I’ll definitely be in touch. Thanks so much for the offer.