I would like to introduce Jill Giles and one of her artworks. We are fellow printmaker at the Anglesea Art House and when she experimented with plaster of paris on perspex to form a collagraph, that is the combination of relief and intaglio on a single surface, we all took notice.

Collagraph perspex plate with plaster of Paris and metal paint

The first image is one of the plate from which the print is taken and the second is the first proof that is a guide to how the image can be altered or improved. After taking this proof Jill added lines to the plate using metallic paint that may print in second proof as an embossed part of the texture. However as we were working away and Jill pulled this first proof I was excited by how well she had captured an aerial view of Lake Eyre as it dried out. We all got a buzz.

Collagraph is perhaps the most versatile of printmaking surfaces and its hard to know where to start but this technique gives an immediate, tactile way in. A perspex surface is often used for drypoint mark making with implements or by using an electric drill strong enough to gouge or scratch into the hard perspex surface.  In particular this plate on perspex is constructed using plaster of Paris which lends itself to creating geological, organic textures. Looking forward to the next stage.