Exhibitions and Galleries

Drawing materials. Graphite pencils, 6b, 4b, 2b. Black felt pens, various thicknesses, preferably not smelly ones. A dip pen and nib. [nibs will be available for use]. A sharp blade or pen knife. Not very wonderful scissors, for cutting the plate. Paint brushes, for drawing and applying inks. Any special leaves, fibres, feathers, sheet music, maps, charts, photographs.

To Wear

Protective clothing, surgical gloves, at least food grade gloves, tight fitting, several so that they can be thrown away after, or you able to get Nitrile gloves - the safest for keeping ink off hands, also strong. If possible, it is good to bring cotton rags, so we don’t diminish the studio supplies. The solarplate will be available for purchase. Inks, papers, and film are supplied

Preparing the Image for the First Plate
Preparing the image for the first plate. This will include;
Different ways of drawing on drafting film, using a combination of inks, paint, graphite pencils, Korns crayons, and techniques such as sgraffito, frottage and some overlaying of images,; the use of photo copies, and ways of adapting them [eg scratching back and adding of ink]. Found objects [leaves, different fibres]. Shaped plates, cutting and preparing for printing. Getting the image onto the photopolymer plate, using the sun and also the light exposure unit. Demonstration of test strips and ways of modifying the exposed plates.

Printing the Plate
Discussion on the different papers available for printing; the mixing of inks, applying ink to the plate, methods of wiping, and then how to use the etching press. All techniques and methods used in this workshop endeavour to be safe ways of printmaking, eg….the least contact of fumes and inks possible to our lungs and skin. There are no solvents used for cleaning, just oil and elbow grease. Included in the printing process is information on paper preparation and ways of drying the printed etching.

Colour Printing 1
The methods using multiple plates. Preparation of the films for multiple plate etchings, the separation to prepare for registration of plates and thinking about dividing colours up into tones.[All this usually just gets started on day one so if there is enough energy that night to work on ideas it can be got ready for the next day. But in reality it is just thinking about it and getting started the next morning.

Colour Printing
Continuing the film making from day one, getting the films ready and making the plates, 2 to 3 plates. Often a key plate and then one or two others. A la poupee will be used on the colour plate to get more colour variation. Registration of the etching plates during printing, ways of placing the papers and a simple offset printing is shown. Also masking of separate areas.

Embossing
Two ways of embossing – the Dan Weldon technique of drawing through ink, and the drawing with a strong black line to get the reverse embossing.

It would be good if on the following days we could start earlier, so there is time to give extra assistance. Further techniques which could be tried…Direct drawing onto plates, through ink or direct application with pen or brush; Chine collee, [other materials applied to main printing papers], making and developing larger prints with combinations of multiple plate, embossed plates, further use of photographic film and images, eg ...layering and modifying them.

Using embossed plates as colour printing, in relief. Relief printing and making a plate similar to wood engraving.[this way can be done without an etching press.] Developing any of the plate or image making techniques that were introduced on the 1st day, which particularly interested you.