Printing a Collagraph Workshop - Belinda Flores Shinshillas

A collagraph intaglio technique is a printmaking process where an artist builds a textured plate using collage materials, seals it, and prints it by forcing ink into its recessed grooves and lower areas under high press pressure. The word Collagraph comes from "collage" (glued materials) and "graph" (drawing).

In the 19th Century, French artist Pierre Roche glued items like sea algae and plaster onto metal plates to print textured works. In modern times, printmakers like Boris Margo experimented with liquid plastics on surfaces to vary printing thicknesses. The naming and Formalization came in the 1950’s when American artist and educator Glen Alps coined the term "collagraph" at the University of Washington. The technique grew popular for abstract art as artists used carborundum grit, acrylics, and heavy paperboard to build rich tonal plates. Global Expansion and Creators like Romare Bearden and Cuban master Belkis Ayón used the accessible, resource-friendly collagraph process to produce monumental, highly detailed prints.
In this 3-day workshop, students will learn the technique of how a Collagraph plate is made
Students will start with a flat, sturdy piece of material like cardboard, heavy mounting board, or thin wood. Different objects are glued onto the base to create raised areas and lines. Common items include fabric, yarn, string, bubble wrap, sandpaper, leaves, and tape. Students will also cut into the cardboard, peel back layers of paper, or scratch lines into the surface with a sharp tool.
Students will learn the Intaglio Printing Process where the Ink is spread across the entire plate and then wiped off the top flat surface, leaving ink only inside the carved grooves. Pressing process: Heavy roller pressure forces damp paper into the recessed grooves to pull out the trapped ink
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Dec 3 1pm-4pm
Friday, Dec 4 1pm-4pm
Saturday, Dec 5 10am-1pm