Photo-Intaglio Printmaking with Paper Plates

Description

Learn photo-intaglio in a day!

Join printmaker Kathryn Desforges for a fun, hands-on introduction to an exciting new process: photo-intaglio printmaking using paper plates.

This one-day course is perfect for anyone curious about experimental printmaking techniques, teachers looking to expand their toolkit, or printmakers who want to explore an accessible alternative to traditional photo-etching.

What is photo-intaglio on paper?

Course leader Kathryn Desforges is an expert printmaker and our Print Technician here at WYPW. As part of her research, she’s been developing this innovative technique as a simpler, quicker and more accessible version of photo-intaglio (which can often be a lengthy process!). Instead of metal plates and acids, you’ll use specialist printmaking paper coated with light-sensitive photo-emulsion to create your printing plate.
Here’s how it works:

•  A piece of printmaking paper is coated with photo-emulsion.
• Your chosen black-and-white image on transparency is exposed to the plate with UV light.
• The exposed emulsion hardens, while the unexposed areas wash away in water.
• The paper plate is inked up and printed like an etching, either through an intaglio press, or even a pasta machine at home!

The combination of smooth emulsion and rough paper surface means the plate holds ink beautifully, creating effects similar to a traditional photographic etching and aquatint.

Why try this technique?

• No acids or harsh chemicals to make plates, just photo-emulsion and water, (gloves and ventilation recommended).
• You’re not limited to straight edges! Plates can be torn or cut to interesting shapes.
• Affordable and accessible, can even be tried in a home studio.
• Fast results, create multiple plates in a single day.
• Perfect for teaching, an accessible way to introduce students to photographic printmaking.

There are of course some trade-offs for the speed and accessibility of this process. Very fine detail can’t always been rendered, plates may degrade with use, and backgrounds can’t be wiped back to pure whites, but that unpredictability is part of its charm. Perfect for adventurous printmakers who enjoy experimenting!

What you’ll produce and take home with you:

• 2-3 A5 photo-intaglio plates.
• A stack of experimental prints to build on.
• The skills to keep exploring this alternative intaglio method in our studios as a member, at home or in your own studio 

What to Prepare?

You’ll need to email us (info@wypw.org) 2-3 images you’d like to use before the course – There’s a little bit of manipulation we’ll need to do before we output them onto transparency. This will save us a lot of time on the day and mean we can get straight into the hands-on parts!

Your tutor : Kate Desforges

Kathryn (Kate) Desforges is a printmaker who creates process-driven, contemporary artworks which explore her preoccupation with ordinary, overlooked and in-between places. 

Her work germinates from a fragmented collection of drawings, photographs, memories and lived experience, and evolves through printmaking processes such as etching, lithography and woodcut, which enable a unique visual language. 

Material is important – carving, scratching and sanding back metal and wood reveals and covers up, helping to piece together fragments of ideas, distill and refine, and keep the physical act of making at the core of her practice. What results are re-imaginings – pieced together from snippets and fleeting glimpses of her everyday. 

Kathryn’s work is held in public and private collections in the UK, including the Tate Library artist book collection. She trained at Kingston University, and has undertaken artist residencies at Intaglio Printmaker, UK, Mi-LAB, Japan, and a Post Graduate Lithography Fellowship at Leicester Print Workshop. Ever-hungry to learn and develop new print processes, her practice has developed through a symbiotic relationship with her career as a printmaking technician and tutor. 

See more on her tutor profile here: https://wypw.org/tutors/kate-desforges/

Experience level

No previous experience is needed for this course. Beginners are welcome but a basic of understanding of the intaglio process might be useful.

What’s included?

The course price includes all basic materials needed on the day. Other materials and printmaking papers will be available to buy during the course if you would like to try something a bit different, or take some materials home to try out.

Pace and Accessibility:

This workshop is designed to be relaxed, supportive and accessible, with a maximum of eight participants to ensure everyone receives individual guidance. You’ll be taken through each stage of the process step by step, with opportunities to work either seated or standing as you prefer. Regular breaks will be included throughout the session. This workshop will take place in our Gallery space which has level access and an accessible toilet. If you have any additional access or support needs, please get in touch before the workshop so we can do our best to accommodate them. 

What’s next?

After attending this course, you will be well equipped to join our workshop as a member and continue to use our facilities to make and develop your own work. The sooner the better, as the longer you leave it the more you are likely to forget! Sign up for membership within one month of attending the course you will receive a £5 discount. Find out more about the benefits of membership here.

Cancellation Policy:

• If you have to cancel:

If you are unable to attend your booked course, we may accept the fee paid as payment towards a place on the same or another course that takes place within the same financial year (running 1 April-31 March) following the originally booked event. Such a transfer will be on condition that we are informed in writing of your intentions four weeks prior to the originally booked event. Bookings can only be transferred once. If you are unable to attend, and not in a position either to transfer to another event, then the following charges will apply: Cancellation charges

• 16-12 weeks before the course: 50 % of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Less than 12 weeks before the course: 100% of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Please note that full payment is required for non-attendance on a booking that has been transferred.

If you have any further questions about our cancellation policy, please contact us on info@wypw.org

• If we have to cancel:

West Yorkshire Print Workshop reserves the right to cancel or re-arrange courses if there are insufficient participants enrolled to run a viable course or for other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to give those who have already enrolled at least one weeks’ notice of cancellation. In such circumstances you will be offered a free transfer to another course date or a full refund of fees paid. By enrolling in our courses, participants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above. 

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