COLLOGRAPH
Collograph
A collage of materials glued on to a "printing plate," such as a square of cardboard. When glue is dry, it is painted with paint or ink. Paper is then pressed on to the surface to produce a print.
A collage of materials glued on to a "printing plate," such as a square of cardboard. When glue is dry, it is painted with paint or ink. Paper is then pressed on to the surface to produce a print.
MATERIALS
Printing plate (thick paper, cardboard or other sturdy surface)
Collage materials (foam, cut cardboard, or other low relief items like string)
Glue
Ink or paint
Baren or printing press
Collage materials (foam, cut cardboard, or other low relief items like string)
Glue
Ink or paint
Baren or printing press
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Use caution when using x-acto knifes.
Always store with the safety cap.
Always store with the safety cap.
PROCESS STEPS
1. Cut your printing plate to the desired size
2. Cut the collage materials
3. Attach collage material to the printing plate with glue
4. Apply ink or paint with a brayer or brush
5. Print the image using pressure - either through a printing press, a baren, or with your hand
2. Cut the collage materials
3. Attach collage material to the printing plate with glue
4. Apply ink or paint with a brayer or brush
5. Print the image using pressure - either through a printing press, a baren, or with your hand
TIPS
1. Let glue dry completely before printing your plate
2. Experiment with amount of ink/paint and the amount of pressure applied for different effects
3. If printing on fabric, use fabric inks or acrylic paint for a permanent print
2. Experiment with amount of ink/paint and the amount of pressure applied for different effects
3. If printing on fabric, use fabric inks or acrylic paint for a permanent print
ARTIST INSPIRATION
Adinkra (ah-DEEN-krah) cloth is a hand-printed fabric made in Ghana. Developed by the Ashanti people, Adinkra cloths were traditionally made for royalty to wear at religious ceremonies. Through the years, people have also decorated the cloths to tell a story or to express their thoughts or feelings.
Adinkra cloth is stamped and patterned with traditional Ashanti symbols. Each symbol has its own meaning.
People in Ghana decorate the cloth by using a black dye made of bark. This dye is called Adinkera aduru, and it is what gives the cloth its name. Using the dye, they draw lines on the cloth to divide it into squares. Next, they carve symbols into calabash gourds, press the gourds into the dye, and stamp the symbols onto the fabric.
Historically, adinkra was reserved for Asante kings. Over the years, however, its use has expanded to the general Akan population who wear adinkra cloth on significant occasions, the most important of which are funerals.
Read more here: www.stlawu.edu/gallery/education/f/09textiles/adinkra_symbols.pdf
Adinkra cloth is stamped and patterned with traditional Ashanti symbols. Each symbol has its own meaning.
People in Ghana decorate the cloth by using a black dye made of bark. This dye is called Adinkera aduru, and it is what gives the cloth its name. Using the dye, they draw lines on the cloth to divide it into squares. Next, they carve symbols into calabash gourds, press the gourds into the dye, and stamp the symbols onto the fabric.
Historically, adinkra was reserved for Asante kings. Over the years, however, its use has expanded to the general Akan population who wear adinkra cloth on significant occasions, the most important of which are funerals.
Read more here: www.stlawu.edu/gallery/education/f/09textiles/adinkra_symbols.pdf
Further Inspiration
Many artists and designers specialize in textile pattern designs! Here are just a few to check out:
Project Guidelines
1. IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK, BRAINSTORM 10 DIFFERENT SYMBOLS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR (TO YOU, DOES NOT NEED TO BE OBVIOUS TO THE VIEWER!)
2. HAVE THE SKETCHES MARKED OFF, THEN PICK YOUR TWO FAVORITES DESIGN
3. TRACE THE DESIGNS ONTO FOAM AND CUT THEM OUT. GLUE TO A BOARD OR CARDBOARD TO CREATE A COLLOGRAPH PLATE
4. PRINT ON PAPER TO TEST
- make at least FOUR paper prints using both of your foam designs
- experiment with using one color or multiple colors
- experiment with arrangements: grid, random, rotation
- experiment with different papers sizes and types
5. PRINT ON FABRIC, USING AT LEAST ONE OF THE COLLOGRAPHS YOUR CREATED
1. IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK, BRAINSTORM 10 DIFFERENT SYMBOLS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR (TO YOU, DOES NOT NEED TO BE OBVIOUS TO THE VIEWER!)
2. HAVE THE SKETCHES MARKED OFF, THEN PICK YOUR TWO FAVORITES DESIGN
3. TRACE THE DESIGNS ONTO FOAM AND CUT THEM OUT. GLUE TO A BOARD OR CARDBOARD TO CREATE A COLLOGRAPH PLATE
4. PRINT ON PAPER TO TEST
- make at least FOUR paper prints using both of your foam designs
- experiment with using one color or multiple colors
- experiment with arrangements: grid, random, rotation
- experiment with different papers sizes and types
5. PRINT ON FABRIC, USING AT LEAST ONE OF THE COLLOGRAPHS YOUR CREATED