Burn, Melt & Print: A Fire Collagraph Workshop
Burn, Melt & Print: A Fire Collagraph Workshop
Workshop Details
Dates: Friday to Monday - May 22nd to 25th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: 16 Academy Road, Rothesay, PA20 0BG (a beautiful setting by the sea)
Materials: All included
Early Bird Offer: Book by December 31st 2025 to be eligible for the 10% Mailing list subscriber discount.
Sign up here to receive your discount code.
A Collagraph Printmaking Long Weekend Exploring The Use of Fire to Create Unique Textured Prints
When I first learned this pyrotechnic technique from printmaker Peter Wray 20 years ago, this transformed my collagraph printmaking. It opened up a whole new selection of organic textures, the chance to burn holes right through the plate and the edges doing away with hard straight lines. And it was great fun!
Using a blowtorch and controlled burning techniques, you will discover a whole new exciting world of flame-based collagraph printmaking in this hands-on workshop. Learn to create dramatic textured printing plates using heat, flame, and mixed media materials. You'll transform everyday materials like mount board, PVA, tile grout, and various tapes into surfaces that, in turn, create fabulous unique prints.
Whether you're new to printmaking or an experienced printmaker, this workshop offers a fresh perspective through its focus on material exploration and abstract expression. Come with an open mind, leave with new possibilities.
Spaces are limited.
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Techniques to create texture using flame for collagraph plates
Working with burnable substrates and wet/dry materials
Controlled burning and melting methods for texture creation
Creating irregular plate shapes and burn-through effects
Professional inking techniques for maximum print impact
Multiple inking approaches to enhance your finished prints
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Day 1 - AM creating plates.
Spend your day creating one or more distinctive textured plates with a blow torch
Day 1 - PM Proofing the plate
Day 2 - Explore various inking methods to bring your heat-formed surfaces to life. Perfect for printmakers wanting to expand their collagraph skills or artists seeking experimental printmaking techniques.
Day 3 - Viscocity and relief inking techniques
Day 4 - open for experimentation and additional tips and tricks depending on what is approriate for the group on the day
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Mount board and all specialist equipment including blow torch, safety gear, printing materials, and surface treatments.
Participants are invited to bring alternative substrates for experimentation if they wish - thin wood ply (max depth 3mm) adds natural wood grain texture and can be carved into; metal plates like steel allow for drypoint work; or give new life to previously etched plates through added wet materials and/or tapes that can add burnt or melted texture.
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Spaces are limited to a maximum of 3-4 participants
You can expect individual guidance and tailored instruction to suit your skill level and creative goals.
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Beginners, and experienced printmakers and artists interested in mixed media techniques, and anyone wanting to explore flame-based art methods.
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This course celebrates the journey rather than the destination. You'll be encouraged to:
Experiment freely with accessible, everyday materials
Discover unexpected textures and patterns as I shar e with you various ways of inking up a plate
Develop intuitive responses to materials and processes
Build technical confidence through playful exploration
Release expectations and embrace happy accidents
No pressure to create "finished" artwork—instead, focus on building a personal vocabulary of textures, marks, and techniques that can inform your future creative practice. This approach creates a relaxed environment where true discovery can happen.
Book your place in this unique experimental printmaking workshop and discover how fire can transform your collagraph practice.
Newsletter subscribers are eligible for the exclusive Early Bird 10% discount. Subscribe to my mailing list here to get your discount code.
Join me but please make sure you read the small print first.
