Sunday 27 November 2016

Collagraph Research - Stefan Barton

Stefan Barton describes collagraphs as 'a type of mono print pulled from collaged plates.' This is clear when looking at his work. the following two prints were pulled from the same plate but are very different.

Solid Rotation
The varied application of ink allows for depth in a completely different way to other printmaking techniques.
 
In this version Solid Rotation Frost less ink has been wiped away so there are less highlights, totally changing the depth and impression of 3D form.


I cannot figure out how this is made. The top layer looks like some sort of thick fluid applied. This is intaglio. I don't know how the checked pattern is created but it looks like one block with two layers, the squares and the top created by the thick fluid. Many of the prints appear to contain elements created by manipulating the ink as in a mono print but these squares must be part of the block as they are the same in the next print 
It appears the light squares could be the ink wiped away but they are so similar between prints they must be from the block.

These prints are quite dark in their subjects, and manipulate the collagraph technique well to create a big range of textures. I wonder if they are created by textured substances being painted on rather than through collage. It is also very interesting to see the difference variable inking can create. I am not sure if these are created with two layers or just by inking. I'm not even sure if you can print two layers with these or any other techniques that require damp paper. I know the paper will shrink and distort. I saw one example where the printmaker taped the prints to a board after printing so they dry flat. I have been researching this but have not been able to find this on the internet or in any of my books so will have to experiment to see if overprinting is possible.

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