Collagraph printmaking with colour with Vicky Oldfield

Printmaking

Ref: SWE12523

Intermediate £298
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About this course

Design and make layered plates, experiment with a range of colours, ink consistencies and harder/softer rollers to create rich multi-coloured prints.

Course Description

This course is an adventure into making richly textured collagraph plates especially for viscosity printing. If you love colour but get frustrated with registering multiple plates, then viscosity printmaking is a great technique to try.

This course is suitable for those with some experience of inking and printing a collagraph or drypoint plate, can use an etching press and want to develop their skills and ideas further.

You will be delving deeper into the world of collagraph and its possibilities. Exploring an exciting range of methods to make collagraph plates in layers using additive techniques; building plates with papers, paints, pastes, gels, foils, tape and carborundum. Working on environmount board plates as a substrate allows for the possibility of drypoint marks to be included in the imagery.

Inking, as always, is the key to the successful outcome of a print and is a significant element of the course. The principle is that oil-based inks of different viscosities do not mix with each other, thick ink (high viscosity) on a roller will pick up a thin layer of oily ink (low viscosity), creating a kind of resist effect. Rich and complex multi-coloured prints can be created with just one pull through the press.

The course aims to provide a fun and experimental environment for you to relax, enjoy and simply discover the vast range of printmaking possibilities. Ideas come through the process of making and the time provides a chance to explore and share your experiences and enthusiasm.

Though experimentation is encouraged, the observation of good studio practice is expected and essential throughout the sessions.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

  • Printing inks and solvents, eight 14cm x 14cm board plates, tissue paper, newprint, blotting paper, tracing paper, mountboard, texture paste, tile cement, masking tape, packing tape, electrical tape, scrim, carborundum powder (fine and medium), shellac, copper plate oil, glue and some Somerset printing paper.

What students need to bring

  • The theme is flexible so bring along any interesting sketches or photographs you may have that you would like to make into a print.
  • It is a messy discipline so an apron/overall is essential.
  • Textured papers you have, textrured wallpaper is ideal, and interesting textures that could be incorporated into a collagraph plate, any acrylic texture pastes you may have
  • Good quality heavyweight paper that can be soaked in water
  • Notebook or sketchbook and pen/pencil for taking notes
  • Somerset printmaking paper
  • Drypoint plates in a variety of sizes

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • A good variety of art materials including good quality heavyweight paper that can be soaked in water, sketchbooks, pencils, Somerset printmaking paper, drypoint plates in a variety of sizes.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Tutors

Vicky Oldfield

Vicky is best known for her work as a printmaker. She is well represented by galleries across the UK, and has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer exhibition, The Mall Galleries and in Tokyo, Japan.
She has been published in The Printmakers Bible and Practical Printmaking.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or a Diploma in Art and Contemporary Crafts (10 three-day study blocks, over two years). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.

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