Relief Collagraph

This video is a printmaking demo that walks you through how to construct a relief collagraph plate, registration, inking and printing tips. It is for Printmaking I students, but is useful for anyone interested in making a relief collagraph print.
-Sarah Whorf
Find me on Instagram @inkerprinter

[@MaryGadsby]

As a 61 year old art kindergartner, I appreciate your teachings, thank you

[@rebeccamccannell3049]

Thanks for putting this out there for all of us, Sarah! I'm also a printmaking professor (in Oregon) and it's great to be able to refer my students to well explained demos like yours! I especially appreciate this now that my printmaking classes have been pushed online due to Covid. We can't use the school's press, so I love these projects that can be made and printed at home with commonplace materials.

[@sarahwhorf]

Thank you so much Rebecca! It's so nice to hear. I figure that the more we can share right now the better!

[@malucos00]

As a design student who has been trying to print collagraphs without proper training, thank you!!

[@cd13able]

Very comprehensive and detailed ...I appreciate this tutorial ...thank you!

[@maestra730]

great lesson! thank you!

[@daverdavatron1]

So very cool !

[@karenw8929]

Hi Sarah, I'm a linocut artist that is expanding into collagraphs so I can get more variety. Great video - wish I'd had you as an art teacher when I was in school. I really liked the idea of keeping the finished plates as art elements. Thanks!

[@sarahwhorf]

Thanks so much!

[@IronEarthDesigns]

Thank you. This video is really helpful. I saw it about a year and a half ago and I realized that I totally did the wrong thing. I didn't get it. I didn't get the order. I sealed the illustration board before I tore out the pieces. It really didn't work well .
Anyway, are re there thicker illustration boards in existence that would allow you to do reduction tecnique as if it was lino? I mean is there any illustration board that would be thick enough? You transfer the image onto the board, and then cut out the area, and then print it. That layer would represent one color. Then you remove some more for the next layer of a different color and so on. Is that possible with this material? The other thing I was thinking of was kind of a reverse addition rather than a reduction paired meaning you would print one layer then add shapes on top of the board reseal it and then print that new layer in another color, and so on. Have you ever done this?

[@sarahwhorf]

Hi - Yes, I think there is very thick, at least 8 ply, mat board if not thicker, and you could do a reduction on that. I have found with relief collagraph that there isn't a whole lot of depth to play with. I haven't really tried a reduction like you are talking about. Could be great. The problem with an additive process is that, once the ink is on the plate/matboard, it's hard to get any glue to stick to add more layers. I would encourage you to play with it!

[@jekalambert9412]

Love the detailed explanation of your process and the various suggestions about how to enhance the prints. What kind of ink are you using?

[@sarahwhorf]

Hi Jeka - Thanks! I'm using Akua Liquid Pigments in this video.

[@sophiematthewman1770]

Such a good video to learn from, what kind of ink do you use again please??

[@sarahwhorf]

In this video I'm using Akua Liquid Pigments for the ink. I recommend those as water-based and easy to use. I also highly recommend the Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash relief inks, which are oil-based but soap and water clean up.

[@sophiematthewman1770]

@@sarahwhorf Thank you so much, that's really great.

[@mm-sj7fk]

Thanks for the great video! How do you put your edition number when you collage with different shapes? Thanks

[@sarahwhorf]

Hi. Thanks! Not sure I know what you mean re edition number. If I use separate collagraphs together in a consistent way then it would be an edition, but I could also make unique prints.

[@craveilmugoh.2387]

Hallo does the final print have texture feel

[@sarahwhorf]

Hi. No, not really. There is the texture of the ink, but not any embossment.

[@craveilmugoh.2387]

@@sarahwhorf thank you for your reply😘

[@Barbara50nl]

What kind of paint did you use?

[@sarahwhorf]

I'm using Akua Liquid Pigments for printing. The ink has been evaporated in small containers to thicken it enough so that it will roll out with a brayer. If you wanted to ink more painterly, any water-based paint or ink could be applied with a stiff brush. Have fun!

[@susanmcfie9261]

Such clear tuition. Thank you

[@sarahwhorf]

Thanks so much for your nice comment!

[@andreamuller8468]

Supercool :) thank you!

[@clariolaelx]

Thank You very much from Spain🌻

[@sarahwhorf]

Looks like you just watched a bunch of my videos! Thank YOU! Happy Printing!

[@carolbarnes7520]

Thank you for such a clear instructional video. I have been interested in doing some collagraph printing and you have given me the courage to get started. Carol Barnes UK

[@sarahwhorf]

Thank you and so glad to hear it! Hope your project goes well!

[@srkzfan]

Love all your videos - you’re an excellent, engaging, and generous teacher! I’ve watched all your videos over and over - please, please make more!

[@sarahwhorf]

Thanks so much! I have some ideas for future videos. We'll see!

[@srkzfan]

Thanks so much for your quick response! It’s great to hear you may make more videos for us - I look forward to whatever you post!