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COLLAGRAPH: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO MAKE ONE
A collagraph is a print made from
a collage of items glued to a sheet of cardboard, metal or similar flat
material. It should not be confused with ‘collatype,’ which is a type of
photomechanical printing. The collagraph is primarly
used in the fine arts. Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris
and Georges Braque were famous practitioners. The collagraph
is a relatively modern form of printing, probably originating in the late
1800s.
A wide variety of
objects can be attached to the plate to give a wide and wild variety of designs
and textures. Common materials include cardboard cutouts, pieces of metal
and wood, sand and glue. The collagraph plates
can be printed in relief (meaning, the ink is placed on the highest parts), in
intaglio (meaning, the ink is placed in the lowest parts) or both. The
prints often have the plate mark, or pressed in area engulfing the printed
area, that is typical to intaglio prints. Collagraphs
are often combined with other printing methods, including lithography, woodcut
and etching.
Making your
own collagraph.
Collagraphs
are fun, easy and allow for imagination and experimentation. Both kids
and adults can make them. As there are so many different and combinations
of materials that can be used, there is almost a limitless variety of styles
and designs one can make.
This following simple example will show you how to make a simple collagraph printed in the relief manner.
Marterials
Plate = flat sheet of cardboard,
metal, wood or similar material
Ink or paint
Glue.
Brush or roller for applying ink
Paper to make your print on
Cardboard for
making designs to paste to the plate.
Stuff to clean up your mess
Directions
1) Cut out
cardboard figures or other designs you want have in your print (trees, dog,
clouds, whatever).
2) Glue the
cardboard figures onto the plate. Hot glue dries fast. If you use
Elmer’s glue, you will have to wait a while for it to dry. You can glue other
items to the plate if you wish (coins, stones, wood, design
in glue). Just realize that, for proper printing, everything has to be of
similar height.
3)
With brush and/or roller, apply the ink or paint to the top surface of the
items you pasted to the plate.
4)
Place your piece of paper on top of your printing plate. Apply pressure
(with hand, paper towel other). Remove the paper, by slowly pealing it
from one side.
5)
You have made a collagraph. If you like your
design, you can re-ink your printing plate and make as many prints as you
want. You can add further detail to your print by hand painting or
drawing designs.
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