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.

6 responses to “Experimental Collagraphs workshop”

  1. 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.

    1. 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.

      1. 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.

        1. That would be awesome. If I’m coming up I’ll definitely be in touch. Thanks so much for the offer.

  2. How about doing an online class. I would love to do it.❤️❤️

    1. 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/

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