The Art of Collagraph Winter School

Leicester Print Workshop is delighted to present our three day Winter Printmaking Schools in early 2023.

Taking place over the last weekend in January, these three day immersions will give participants a chance to dedicate time to their printmaking practice. With a choice of Collagraph, (with Charles Shearer), Japanese Book Structures (with Lucy May Schofield) and Textile Screen (with Alex Palmer), participants will enjoy the opportunity to experiment, play, explore and focus on their chosen technique.

These courses build on the successes of our popular weeklong Summer Schools, and present a new opportunity for artistic development, inspiration and growth over Winter.

This three day workshop will provide a comprehensive and enjoyable exploration of collagraphs in surface inking and intaglio processes as well as learning techniques of drawing and cutting using a range of tools, some adapted specifically for this purpose, through to application of textured materials, embossed papers and carborundum powder that gives this process its unique character. You will also learn about the inks, papers and machines involved in generating these exciting images, and experiment with collagraph elements.

Course Structure

Saturday

Following a general introductory talk on printmaking the session will begin exploring the creative techniques of preparing and printing with collagraph plates.

You will be instructed in all aspects of collagraph plate production, from techniques in drawing and cutting using a range of tools, through to the application of textures and material that help give this process its unique character. You will also learn about inks and papers and the machines involved in generating these exciting images.

Sunday

This session begins with a demonstration of plate preparation for intaglio printing and the application of textured materials.

A short demonstration of printing plates by hand using thin oriental papers.

Further development of ideas and plates.

Monday

Introduction to two plate print production and methods of image transfer.

Technique of applying dry pigments to finished prints.

Though evaluation of work will be ongoing throughout the course we will have an end of course gathering to look over the work created.

About the Tutor

Charles Shearer creates collagraphs that are informed through drawing. His subject matter often focuses on the landscape and the things that appear within this, such as romantic ruins, a manor house or folly, a wild dog or pig. He studied at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen in 1975 and at the Royal College of Art, London, specialising in illustration.

Charles has been teaching printmaking at colleges and at workshops for many years. He is an artist printmaker who paints and draws in the landscape. Everything begins with drawing and it is in the studio that ideas are developed and themes are translated through print, primarily by the collagraph processes. Charles lives in London but travels extensively to teach and to seek subject matter.

Leicester Print Workshop 

Leicester Print Workshop is the regional development centre for printmaking. Established by artists in 1986, we are a registered charity, supported by Arts Council England. Our RIBA award-winning building is situated in Leicester City Centre's Cultural Quarter and is home to a large, well equipped open access Printmaking Studio.

We have over 30 years’ experience of teaching people printmaking. Our programme offers the largest number and broadest range of printmaking courses in the region, with courses suitable for beginners as well as experienced printmakers, delivered by practicing artists and nationally renowned tutors. Participants learn in small and friendly groups in our purpose-designed studio.