Friday, September 23, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: Collography Keys

When I first read that Hettiene had chosen keys for her first Inspiration Avenue challenge, my thoughts immediately went to this altered book spread. But I have shown this spread on my blog before and wanted something new this week.

As I was contemplating what I would make for this challenge, my mind raced to the keys I keep in my studio for just this purpose. Then I nearly tripped over my collographic plate I had placed behind a door in my studio that was made using old keys. If you are not sure what a collographic plate is, it is a water resistant plate used for printing. I showed the process here. Since today is officially the first day of autumn, I thought I would work on this technique outside.




Supplies from back left clockwise:

Bowl of water (to remove excess paint from plate)
Pearl Glaze
Paint brush
Collographic plate
Paper to print on
Paper towels (for cleaning the plate)


As I was about to begin, I realized I had not brought anything to place the glaze in, so I went inside and grabbed a used cup.


I brushed a bit of glaze on the keys,


then laid the paper face down on the painted plate, and gently pressed. Unlike fabric, which is all I've used in the past, paper will absorb the paint easier, so I had to be careful to not press too hard. It also made taking a photo while pressing on the paper while the paint was still wet, a bit difficult.


Unfortunately, I don't think I got very good coverage on this piece.


So I tried twice more, then cleaned the plate before the paint could dry on the plate this time (unlike when I allowed paint to bake on the plate earlier this year in the hot summer sun).


I got one decent print (the middle one in the above photo), although I must admit, I prefer this technique using fabric and paint or Shiva/Markal paint sticks.

If keys are your thing, you might want to join the Inspiration Avenue challenge this week, or simply stop by and see how other participants interpreted Hettiene's challenge.

16 thoughtful remarks:

Healing Woman said...

I guess I missed your original posting of the hand with keys. I really like that two page effect. It's very 3-dimensional and sends a definite message.

The experiment looks a bit messy, but then again, you are no stranger to digging right in and using whatever it takes to learn something new. Thanks for showing.

Darla said...

I like the prints you made, they could be very useful in a collage.

I didn't make it for the IA challenge this week but will definately look at the contributions.

Darla

Dianne said...

this really looks like something I should try...the plate itself looks quite lovely with its textural paint deposits, too!

Steph said...

is it autumn already? time flies!!!! THanks for sharing this technique....

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I just love my visits here--I always learn something new! Being new to your blog, I had not seen the altered book page before & it is really striking. I love those versatile keys! Have a nice weekend!

PetraB said...

I like your printing results. It looks very interesting and brilliant to be used in projects.

voodoo vixen said...

I love keys... there is something about them, keys and clocks... it must say something about me but I have no idea what!! Love your results and will be waiting to see what you do with your paint images!!

Gloria said...

Seeing your process makes the finished items all the more interesting. I like your altered pages at the top of the post, too.

Tracey FK said...

I hadn't thought of collograph plates for years, but thinking it might be time to revisit them. I love your posts and that you share your process so generously. It was a great topic this week wasn't it

~*~Patty S said...

Your hand and key spread really speaks to me being a fan of hands AND keys!

Thank you for sharing another great tutorial!
Happy Fall to you dear friend...hope it is finally cooling down for you a bit!
I take it as a good sign that you are playing OUTside!
oxo

Terrie said...

Thanks for sharing all this great info. I like seeing your process for print making though it isn't something I want to try.... don't think I have time to participate this week, but I'm loving seeing what everyone else is doing.

Hettienne Grobler said...

Wow! what a fantastic entry for the key challenge! thank you for the sharing of the process.

Felicia Kramer said...

This would be an interesting technique to try. I love the page spread also.

artangel said...

I love all methods of printing. It's such an exciting process not knowing exactly what results you'll get when you lift up your plate!

Key shapes are wonderful to print - your images are very pretty and kind of ethereal somehow. Fab submission!

Maggie said...

What an intriguing printing process. I love that you have shown step by step how it was done. The printed images came out really nice. I can see lots of uses in various projects for these!

Unknown said...

I so enjoy the way you experiment with techniques and all the possible ways of using them- and I love how your plate worked, I can see these being so beautiful in one of your books.
Also, I never saw the hand spread, so thank you for sharing it a second time- I LOVE it!