Collagraph printing is a collaged printing technique where different textured materials are applied to the printing plate, this is then covered in a resin called 'shellac' this seals the plate and allows it to be reused during the printing process.
I have been creating my own collagraphs inspired by
Barbara Rae's print-work. Barbara Rae sometimes creates collagraphs but also uses a variety of printing techniques to create her abstract and stylised pieces.
To create my own collagraphs I first gathered 5 small grey board squares and stuck a variety of materials onto my boards thinking about the composition of the piece and the textures the different materials would make. I had to think carefully about the materials potential as some materials would appear more raised than others on the collagraph disrupting the pressure over the whole plate.
After my collagraphs plates were assembled they were then coated in shellac and left to dry. Once dry they were ready for printing.
When creating collagraph plates and prints there are a number of safety issues and other work practices that need to be considered. These are-
- Always wear gloves and other protective clothing when creating and inking up plates. (avoid touching harmful chemicals such as the shellac varnish).
- Shellac is a harmful chemical and should be applied in a well ventilated room to ensure the substance fumes are not enhaled.
- Shellac is a highly flammable substance so care should be taken when apllying the substance.
- Contact with the shellac itself should be avoided, food and drink should not be consumed in the area where shellac is being applied.
- Shellac should also be stored in a well ventilated area away from heated materials and objects to avoid sparking.
- Shellac should not be disposed of into water sources and should not be allowed to enter drains due to the toxicity of the substance. See this COSHH site for more on shellac.
- When cutting the materials to be placed onto your collagraph plates take care with craft knives and scissors. Always place hands away from the blade do not cut towards hands.
- Clean surfaces after using the inks and materials and make sure any spillages are cleaned.
- Make sure work surface is clear before using inks to ensure work surfaces or personal items are not damaged.
- When using the printing press care should be taken to avoid getting caught up in the press. Long clothing should be avoided to ensure it does not enter the press and hair should be tied back.
Another collagraph artist who I came across was an artist named
Kim Major-George. Kim creates pieces which are inspired by poetry, they are often fantasy pieces using unusual forms and creatures that she creates during the process. Her pieces are very detailed and have an illustrative quality which I am drawn to most. Here is a video on Kim Major-George'd work and the process that she uses. -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO39izC0W5c&feature=youtu.be
Equipment list-
- Grey board or printing plate
- Scissors or craft knife
- Materials for creating the plate
- Shellac Varnish
- PVA glue
- Caligo water based relief ink
- Surface for the collagraph to be printed (paper ect)
Barbara Rae is a british artist who specialises in printmaking and painting. Her work is often abstract or painterly printwork which uses an instense colour scheme with colours that often constrast or compliment each other without distracting from the intensity of the piece. Her pieces often resemble abstract landscapes which are heavily inspired by her home and its surroundings in west Scotland.
To create her pieces she will first create observationsl sketches on site to experiment with the composition and develop her idea, she will then convert these observational studies into print work or an absract painting. 
Rae uses a variety of different print techniques and painterly styles, one of which includes collagraph printing and etching. Her piece 'harbour night' is a collagraph print which has been developed further through etchings. This is a larger piece which Rae has thought about very carefully, using an interesting and vivid colour pallet that is still very limited in the different shades and hues of colour. Her work has influenced me to create a range of smaller collagraph prints in a similar style using the same limited colour schemes as her work.
