I'm deep into collograph at the moment. It's a printmaking technique in which you make a simple plate — often from random garbage around your house — ink it up and print it. There is a very clear and straightforward blog post HERE that explains the process in photos.
This is the plate I made…
…and here are some of my prints.
I tried several different paints/inks but experienced a lot of paper tearing, as you can see in the photos. I was using supplies I happened to have on hand — always a good idea when you're first testing out a technique — but I've made a list of some "meant for collograph" supplies that I'd like to purchase like intaglio ink, and printmaking paper. You know, I always say this in my classes and I think it's important to remember: you can make art with whatever you have around. You may have to think outside the box or make some adjustments, but you can usually make what you have work. There are some exceptions, but I do my best to try to work with what I have before I go shopping for new "must haves." So, I'm glad that I tried with what I have, because now I know what I actually need. 🙂
I think the thing I'm happiest with is how the back of the prints look:
I'm looking forward to a lot more experimenting with collograph over the next few months. If you have any tips to share, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Hi Julie, love your collagraph experiments. Damp paper really helps and when it goes through the press a very squishy blanket so it presses equally into the peaks and valleys of the plate. I use Charbonell intaglio ink which can be color mixed like oil paint. Proper ink helps if you are pulling a print using a spoon or barren as it dries very slowly so the paper won’t stick.
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie, what type of press did you use that your already had on hand? Is there some way to create a type of press for a few trials for a beginner?
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
Julie,
your prints are wonderful … so happy without a blatant smile. great job. even the torn print is fun!
could you tell us your plate making procedure and what materials you used?
i really enjoy the way you try out materials and art processes. i am always learning from you!
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.
This is so cool, Julie! I love to see your “failure” as well as your successes.