Make Your Own Collagraph Prints
Make Your Own Collagraph Prints A collagraph print is created from a collection of textured materials that have been collaged onto a rigid surface. Fairfield University Art Museum’s exhibition Archives of Consciousness: Six Cuban Artists includes collagraph prints by the artist Eduardo “Choco” Roca, like this one:
Choco, Head with Pineapple, 2017, collagraph on paper. On loan from Terri and Steven Certilman
Choco is a master printmaker! He creates printing plates by gluing a variety of materials including rattan, cardboard, fabric and sand on to wood or cardboard. These plates are then inked and pressed. Want to give it a try? The following steps will guide you in making your own fun and easy collagraph prints.
Supplies: You don’t need to go out and purchase anything special to make your collagraph prints! You most likely already have materials you can use. We had a scavenger hunt around our house to find our materials. • A variety of items with different textures • Tempera paint • Elmer’s glue or glue sticks • Brushes and/or sponge brushes • A rigid surface, such as cardboard (we used the flaps from a shipping box) for each person’s collagraph • Paper to make your print
1. Sketch and plan designs onto the cardboard collagraph plates.
2. Cut out and glue textured items onto collagraph plates. Use a variety of textures to fill the space. The surface should remain relatively even.
3. Select a paint to work with based on what you have available. We used tempera paint because it is readily available, water-based and easy to clean up. 4. Apply the paint to the collagraph plates using paint brushes or sponge brushes. You want to work quickly to keep the paint from totally drying! But you didn’t work quickly enough, no worries - you can spray the collagraph plate with a spray bottle filled with water or dab it with a wet paint brush to re-wet the paint. A quick spray or dab is fine, it doesn’t need to be soaked.
5. Place a piece of paper over the plate and use your hands to gently rub and press the paper. Remove the paper to reveal the print! You can make more prints to make a series. Just add more paint for more prints.
The great thing about these collagraphs is there are no right or wrong outcomes! There can be a theme or no theme. It can be about creating a textured print or a representational picture. Our prints were based on the idea of “a walk in our neighborhood”:
This print (the collagraph plate is in the upper left corner) was made by a 5th grader. Her idea for the print was a night-time walk with the bright light of the moon illuminating the night sky enough to “cast shadows even at night.” Share your collagraphs with us on social media (@FairfieldUAM on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter)
This project was designed and photographed by Museum Educator Kate Wellen