The sense of excitement you feel when you gently peel the paper off your plate to reveal the crisp print below – that tonal range, the level of detail all achieved with a simple piece of cardboard.
There is something very special about this process – it gives a satisfyingly complete sense of achievement! At the helm for this course is Jenny McCabe, a super talented avian artist who is going to take you under her wing and show you how it’s done.
Over the course of two days you will learn all about this fun process – from creating your own plates, to carving away and layering up boards. Students will scratch, peel and indent the surface to create a sculptural matrix, before moving on to printing your very own designs.
Like a resourceful magpie, Jenny makes her collagraph’s using card, paper, fabric, tapes and whatever else is lying around on her desk. We can’t wait to see what the students create!
COURSE DETAILS
DAY 1:
Card Collagraph
_____
Discuss different techniques to create your own printing plates.
Make and print some small experimental plates
Create your final plates and varnish your finished creations ready for printing editions.
DAY 2:
Card Collagraph
_____
Print your plates using different techniques.
Review of final pieces and talk about how you could carry on at home.
This weekend course includes:
- You’ll get step by step guidance from Jenny throughout the sessions
- With visual presentation and demonstrations to inspire
- A relaxed, informal learning atmosphere and a community of fellow artists and crafters to share the learning experience with
- Relaxed & attentive one-to-one guidance for every student
You will learn:
- how to select suitable images and reference materials.
- to explore Collagraph printmaking, using cardboard and found materials to create printing plates.
- how to make prints both by hand using relief methods, and using some small printing presses to print the intaglio way.
- how to work in an abstract way or as figuratively as you like.
- how to manipulate the card by carve away at our plates, scratching, peeling and indenting the surface to create a sculptural matrix.
- how to use layering to produce instant, bold prints.
- how you can express your own style through mark making, use of texture, colour choice and composition.
- how to edit and mount your work so that it looks great on the wall.
In this professional artists’ studio
- You’ll get step by step guidance from Jenny throughout the sessions
- With visual presentation and demonstrations
- A relaxed, informal learning atmosphere and a community of fellow artists and crafters to share the learning experience with
- Frequent refreshments – tea, coffee, cake & biscuits included
- In a beautiful countryside setting
Suitable for?
Anyone. We generally advise that students be 14 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate.
Pre course prep:
- Throughout the course you have the opportunity to work from your own ideas and develop them in your own unique way. On day two you will be working with your own chosen images – these could be photos, drawings, news print or diagrams…
- With that in mind, we ask that you collect images that inspire or mean something to you
- On booking you will be given on advice on what images work best with each technique so that you can make informed decisions
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn new skills
- You need a creative confidence boost because this medium is easy to learn and allows for nice artist exploration
- You want to create unique, bespoke gifts for family and loved ones!
- You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment
- You love creativity and want to try a little known medium
Beyond The Course
Having completed the course there are possibilities for you to continue to explore etching further. Jenny can advise you in where to source materials and equipment.
Need accommodation?
If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommended list of local B&Bs and hotels.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Jenny McCabe is an artist and printmaker with over 20 years experience of making and exhibiting work. Based in Lancaster in the Northwest of England she works from her own studio and she also teaches regularly in print rooms around the country.
Jenny works mainly with intaglio printmaking methods preferring Collagraph and metal plate etchings. Her work always starts with drawing and the technical challenge of turning a simple piece of metal or card into a piece of art.
Jenny’s drawings are messy and energetic, her current focus is on birds and wildlife aiming to capture the frantic movement and energy of her subjects.
Card Collagraph
The wonderful thing about cardboard is its easy to cut the plates so we can make shaped plates, I often cut out my plates to be the shape of the birds I print or use opened out boxes to create an interesting edge to the plate, the possibilities are endless.
Jenny McCabe – Course Tutor
Jenny gets great feedback from her courses. Here are just a couple of testimonials:
Jenny’s course was splendid, Well prepared, well resourced and just the right level of instruction and intervention.
Jenny’s collagraph plates are full of rich tones and textures, she captures great movement and life in the prints.(from visitors book at exhibition 2021)
Its amazing what can be achieved with a simple piece of cardboard, Jenny’s birds are full of soul as well as accuracy.(from visitors book 2021)
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