Friday, November 15, 2013

A new collographic plate

I've made two collographic plates in the past.  Here is one of two I made in July, 2011.

This is the other.  Now those of you who frequent my blog know how much I dislike Mod Podge.  However, I used it to make and seal these two plates.

If you are new to my blog, you may not know what a collographic plate is.  The above photos (sad as they may be) are the beginning of a collagraph.

According to Wikipedia:
Collography (sometimes misspelled "collagraphy") is a printmaking process in which materials are applied to a rigid substrate (such as cardboard or wood).
The process of collography comes about from a collographic plate like the ones I made above. After printing, the paper or fabric is called a collagraph, adding further confusion to the words.

Here is a print I made using a Shiva Paint Stik on fabric.  If you want to see how I made it, here are the supplies and process I used.


Today I'm at my kitchen table making a different kind of collographic plate.  As an aside, Dawn asked me to show some of my hearts.  I never think about them, they are just "there."

It's far too cold to work outside, so I am going to make this using the following supplies:

White glue (PVA)
Bookbinder's string
Old coaster destined for my neighbor's trash
Pencil

I have often said I can't draw, not even simple shapes, but it didn't take long to realize the pencil I was using just wasn't going to cut it.  That's when I changed to an ink pen.

This became a disaster when I tried to wind the string around the image outline.  String has a mind of its own, and it definitely didn't have my project in mind.

A close-up shows I had to cut each piece of string when it changed direction.  It also became painfully evident I didn't follow the lines I carefully drew.  Since the glue is not yet dry, and I can't move forward until it is, I will need to pick this up tomorrow.

This is Day 16
of AEDM and I started a new collographic plate that I hope to use to print on my file folders.

13 thoughtful remarks:

Rebeca Trevino said...

can't wait for the next episode . . . (i love mod podge too, so you have my attention)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today,E

the box is 4"x4" by 11", so the tuba in question is about 3' tall. where did i get it? i think at the flea. and i am not sure what it was originally. a toy? a piece of something else? not sure, but it is in the original shape i found it in, and it is brass, with a silver outer coating. a real deal, just battered and broken, and ready to be thrown away, until i found it.

ps: you are right about my thoughts on the piece. life and death - all of it.
thanks again for stopping by.

Nan G said...

Fascinating! There's so many cool ways to do things and very interesting peeps doing them! Hugs

dawn said...

Oh, I love this Elizabeth!! Anything with trees is a favorite for me, so cute this is!! What patience you must have to do this too, can't wait to see the next post for it. I might just have to try this!! Your first one looks so cool too, love the idea of using keys.
Thank you for mentioning the heart, I saw it before reading it was there. It's a pretty one too!

Read your post below. The backgrounds are BEAUTIFUL!! I love them all but think the second one down is my favorite. She will love them all too!
I forgot to mention earlier the credit card swiping didn't work that well on my postcards. Will keep trying it though.

Have a wonderful weekend, it will be warm here, YAY! Hoping to sneak in some mandala time.
I have my Project Life post up, YAY it came together quickly.
Thanks for sharing a wonderful and fun post for me.

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I have never heard of a collagraph before. I'll be interested in seeing the final product and the steps you take to get to it.

Halle said...

I definitely wouldn't call that a disaster! The tree looks great. Perfection isn't what you should be going for...besides perfection is boring, cookie cutter, blech.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Since I've never heard of these plates before I came to your blog, I am really interested in the process. It seems that every time I visit your blog I learn something new! Thanks for generously sharing all your techniques!

Maron said...

I enjoy seeing a process evolve. Looking forward to the next step(s)!

Unknown said...

This is so cool! I love how you share the process with your art! Thank you! xo

Jo Murray said...

Great idea for Xmas cards.

Karla B said...

Cool!Love what you always have to present us!

Carol said...

Interesting process and I can't wait to see what tomorrow aka today :) brings.... I think I just might have to give this method a shot real soon :)

Vicki Miller said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Your collagraphy technique is interesting, like making rubbing plates. I have used a different technique, with different tapes and a pasta machine.

Rita said...

Cool! I learned a new word! :)