I haven't made a collagraph since collage but this video was a wonderful reminder of how much fun it was. I really enjoyed getting to see your process and learn your tips and tricks for fine tuning the process and ways to troubleshoot. Time to start making some plates! 😊
Ah, I love that this brought a bit of nostalgia your way - these mini plates are such an easy way of playing with textures, with no pressure. I hope you have fun making a few in future! 👏💛
Thank you for reminding me about that technique and how much fun it is to play with a whole host of random things to create prints. I love the surprise of the reveals. It's like magic, and I just can't get enough of it! I'm like a kid! LOL And when some amazingly gorgeous result "shows up"on the paper, I get so happy that my cheeks start tingling, and then my whole face! 😂❤
It IS just so fun, isn't it! And I am constantly surprised by the random, cool textures you can make, just from bits of wool or foil or whatever. I think you've hit the nail on the head there too - it really speaks to the inner child in us, who is just creating for the pure joy and the "what's gonna happen?" energy! It's glorious creative playtime - and tingly cheeks are a sure sign of something magic happening! 👏☺️
Great work, and thanks for a great tutorial. Just two questions? Is there a worry about the ink drying out before you print, and can you use acrylic paint instead of ink?
Hi, thanks so much for watching, I’m really glad it was helpful! Yes, you do have to be mindful of ink drying. Printing inks (like the block printing ink I use here) tend to have a longer work time - and oil based inks take longer to dry than water based ones. The one I’m using is water based and it tends to give me enough time to get a plate covered without rushing too much…but it starts to be drying not long after. I tend to only use an inking for 1-2 prints and then either top the ink up on the plate, or dab it off and reapply fresh - to avoid too much drying on the plate and clogging up the textures. Acrylic paint from the tube tends to be a bit too fast drying for printing - and can make the paper stick to the plate - but if you can mix in an extender/retarder medium it can definitely get results. I have had students in my Skillshare classes adapt acrylic in this way and were able to get some really cool prints! It’s a really fun process, so I hope you have fun playing with it! - and feel free to reach out if you have any further questions 💛
Thank you so much for your great reply. I haven't worked with inks, so I am sceptical to start, even though I can see great results in this video. I have acrylic retarder, so I might try that, then progress to inks, which are more expensive in Australia. Thank you for the great video and quick reply. I will subscribe now.💕👍👍
@lesley6884 I completely understand the hesitation, I always try to use things I already have, to test the waters, before buying new materials. The Essdee block printing ink is one of the most affordable brands here in the UK, but I know prices are varying all over. Definitely give the retarder a go! While you are getting a sense of how much to use and how much working time it gives, I would simply use your hands to press the paper (rather than experimenting with the spoon,roller etc) as you can get straight into feeling for all the nooks and can peel up an edge of the paper as you go, to peep and see if anything is sticking. Have fun experimenting! Thank you for subbing, it’s lovely to have you here! 💛
I haven't made a collagraph since collage but this video was a wonderful reminder of how much fun it was. I really enjoyed getting to see your process and learn your tips and tricks for fine tuning the process and ways to troubleshoot. Time to start making some plates! 😊
Ah, I love that this brought a bit of nostalgia your way - these mini plates are such an easy way of playing with textures, with no pressure. I hope you have fun making a few in future! 👏💛
Thank you for reminding me about that technique and how much fun it is to play with a whole host of random things to create prints.
I love the surprise of the reveals. It's like magic, and I just can't get enough of it! I'm like a kid! LOL
And when some amazingly gorgeous result "shows up"on the paper, I get so happy that my cheeks start tingling, and then my whole face! 😂❤
It IS just so fun, isn't it! And I am constantly surprised by the random, cool textures you can make, just from bits of wool or foil or whatever. I think you've hit the nail on the head there too - it really speaks to the inner child in us, who is just creating for the pure joy and the "what's gonna happen?" energy! It's glorious creative playtime - and tingly cheeks are a sure sign of something magic happening! 👏☺️
Thanks for such an informative video - you’re a great teacher!
Aw Thankyou so much, I do hope it can be helpful! 💛💛
Thanks so much for this great video 😊
Aw, thank you for watching it! 💛
Great work, and thanks for a great tutorial.
Just two questions? Is there a worry about the ink
drying out before you print, and can you use acrylic
paint instead of ink?
Hi, thanks so much for watching, I’m really glad it was helpful! Yes, you do have to be mindful of ink drying. Printing inks (like the block printing ink I use here) tend to have a longer work time - and oil based inks take longer to dry than water based ones. The one I’m using is water based and it tends to give me enough time to get a plate covered without rushing too much…but it starts to be drying not long after. I tend to only use an inking for 1-2 prints and then either top the ink up on the plate, or dab it off and reapply fresh - to avoid too much drying on the plate and clogging up the textures.
Acrylic paint from the tube tends to be a bit too fast drying for printing - and can make the paper stick to the plate - but if you can mix in an extender/retarder medium it can definitely get results. I have had students in my Skillshare classes adapt acrylic in this way and were able to get some really cool prints! It’s a really fun process, so I hope you have fun playing with it! - and feel free to reach out if you have any further questions 💛
Thank you so much for your great reply. I haven't worked with inks, so I am sceptical to start, even though I can see great results in this video. I have acrylic retarder, so I might try that, then progress to inks, which are more expensive in Australia. Thank you for the great video and quick reply. I will subscribe now.💕👍👍
@lesley6884 I completely understand the hesitation, I always try to use things I already have, to test the waters, before buying new materials. The Essdee block printing ink is one of the most affordable brands here in the UK, but I know prices are varying all over.
Definitely give the retarder a go! While you are getting a sense of how much to use and how much working time it gives, I would simply use your hands to press the paper (rather than experimenting with the spoon,roller etc) as you can get straight into feeling for all the nooks and can peel up an edge of the paper as you go, to peep and see if anything is sticking.
Have fun experimenting! Thank you for subbing, it’s lovely to have you here! 💛