COLLAGRAPH/CARBORUNDUM PRINTMAKING

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What is Collagraph/Carborundum printmaking?

What does the course entail?

How much will it cost me?

What are the dates for the course?

How do I enrol?

I'd like to see some images

What is Collagraph/Carborundum printmaking? [Return to Top of Page]

The nature and breadth of Collagraph as a means of creating uniquely rich and interesting printed imagery make it one of the most exciting innovations to take place within printmaking in recent decades. Unlike other intaglio and relief methods, which rely on a set of one or more highly technical processes, Collagraph allows one to work directly with materials, and to explore the qualities of those materials in a much more proactive manner than that allowed by, say, etching.

The physical activity involved in creating a collagraph plate is much more in tune with the "intuition", or the direct interaction with materials, which is so important to many artists. Collagraph is a printmaking technique which operates, as the name suggests, on the basis of collage. It is a particularly robust, direct and unfussy type of printmaking, with the distinct advantage that it helps one avoid the temptations of being too intentional with one`s images, as one might be with lino, line-etching, or silk-screen. Because the surfaces one creates are relatively unpredictable and indirect, one avoids the temptation merely to illustrate.

In recent years, the term "Carborundum Print" seems to have evolved to cover all methods of collagraph printmaking which involve what may be loosely termed as "liquid" materials, i.e., materials which are painted on to the plate or applied in a liquid or semi-liquid form, often with a brush, palette knife or squeegee, as opposed to materials which are cut-out and glued down. Nowadays many so-called carborundum prints do not contain any carborundum at all in their construction, and are composed of other materials, for example, ceramic tile cement, PVA glue, epoxy resins, etc. So, in effect, the term Carborundum Print is a misnomer which denotes a method rather than a specific material, and, while this may be considered unfortunate by some purists, I think we can live with it, particularly because carborundum printmaking is so very versatile, exciting and full of potential as a means of creating rich printed imagery. It really is the closest the printmaker can get to painting, and, in addition, retains great scope for sculptural and graphic treatments.

What does the course entail?[Return to Top of Page]

Over the course of the two days participants will be introduced to a whole range of approaches to Collagraph/Carborundum printmaking,which will include materials and supports; various methods of plate construction; basic and advanced inking techniques using both intaglio and relief methods; using stencils, chine collé, viscosity inking, and cleaning, editioning and signing prints.

Images

How much will the course cost me? [Return to Top of Page]

The two-day workshop will cost £120.00, and this will include tuition, all basic materials and comprehensive technical handouts relating to all aspects of the process, plus beverages throughout the course. Meals and accommodation are not included in the price, but we can provide some Bed & Breakfast accommodation at very competitive rates. The local pub serves food, lunchtimes and evenings, and there is a local shop, garden centre with cafeteria, and a small bakery just outside the village.

What are the dates for the course? [Return to Top of Page]

Dates for Collagraph/Carborundum courses during 2008 will be:-

How do I enrol? [Return to Top of Page]

Enrolment couldn't be simpler, and can be achieved in any of several ways:-

By mail: Peter Wray, 100 The Village, Stockton-on-the-Forest, York, YO32 9UW

By telephone: 01904 400488. mobile: 07740409072;

By e-mail: handprintstudio@aol.com