Cheryl McGannon & Co
Eco-Printing on Paper Extension Workshop

GET READY …

This Extension workshop is all about revisiting what we explored in our first eco-printing workshop together and exploring new variables.

We’ll have a quick refresher about the process to get started, then you have the day to dip, bundle, blanket, boil and unbundle, with me there to tutor, support and guide you as needed.

I have a plan for the day to keep us moving, but you will be making decisions about what and how to bundle with the available resources. If you’re stuck, I will be able to give you a starting point.

I will have handouts that you can use to document the different variables for each bundle.

SAFETY

Our approach to eco-printing will be safe and relatively non-toxic. All ‘cooking’ is done outside with plenty of fresh air.

There will be chemicals involved in the process. Gloves will be provided for use when working with chemicals and dyes.

Please wear closed, comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a studio apron if you have one.

ABOUT THE DAY

We will cook 4x bundles during the day – 2 before, then 2 after lunch – unbundling after the final pot has gone on the cook.

There will be 4 pots ready to put on the burners:

• Before lunch – 1 clean and 1 dirty pot
• After lunch – 1 clean and 1 dirty pot

Mordanted papers ready to print (using 3 different mordants):

• Somerset printmaking paper – 2x strips – approx 15cm x 56cm
• Hosho paper (thin) – 1 sheet – approx 45cm x 45cm
• Watercolour paper – 4x sheets – approx 24cm x 16cm
• Somerset printmaking paper – 2x strips – approx 9cm x 56cm

Bundling options available – you choose to bundle with tins, timber dowel or tiles for each of the bundles as you cook.

Tying the bundles – you will have access to string, textile strips. Baking paper and plastic sleeves will be available if you want to print a clean print, or avoid metals in a dirty pot.

Blankets – You can incorporate blankets into your bundles. Blanket dipping options will include Iron Sulphate,Copper Sulphate and 2x dye colours.

Modifier buckets with mordants and sulphates will also be on hand.

WHAT TO BRING

Please bring your lunch, and a pen and journal or notebook for taking notes during the workshop (you will be leaving with handouts).

Please also bring a sense of curiosity and patience. Remember that the natural chemistry of the process is quite magical and unpredictable. Sometimes the outcome you hope for will result in something very unexpected, and other times the unexpected yields the most exciting results.

Please bring something to take your wet papers home in – an old towel will be perfect. Your papers will be wet and fragile (until dry). You can lay your papers flat inside a folded towel. Please don’t use a good towel – dye and salts may stain the towel as the papers dry.

Plant materials* – I will have a range of locally collected plant material (seasons permitting) on hand for us all to work with:
– eucalyptus leaves
– bracken
– tibochina
– silky oak
– maple and liquid amber
– lorapetalum

Below are other leaves that I have had results with in the past*, but I may not be able to access for our workshop. If it is easy for you to bring some along on the day, that would be great:
– casurina
– maple and liquid amber
– coleus
– rose leaves
– grevillea
– bleeding heart leaves
– smokebush aka smoketree aka cotinus
– grape leaves
– citrus leaves
– kaffir lime leaves

And other leaves that students have had results from that could be good to bring , if you have easy access to them:
– mulberry
– passionfruit
– ginko
– croton
– old man’s beard aka Grandfathers beard aka Spanish moss
– rosemary
– fiddle fig
– geranium
– carob
– sweet potato
– Japanese maple

*Please note that there are no guarantees as to how any one plant will print in this process. There are many variables that work to influence the printed result, and we will discuss this early on our workshop day.

LUNCH & SNACKS

A light morning and afternoon tea (gluten free) is provided during this workshop. As is tea and coffee throughout the day.

Please bring your own lunch. You can drive into town to buy something during our lunch break, but parking can be difficult on weekends. There are places to buy lunch in town on your way in to the workshop.

The studio has a fridge, microwave and cutlery.

ARRIVE TIME

Please aim for a 9:45am arrival so we can kick off at 10am sharp. You will be able to make a cuppa and get settled in for your day.

If you’re running late, please don’t stress or rush to make up time. Drive safe! If you can, give me a call on 0413 384 426 to let me know, and I’ll be able to catch you up on anything you may have missed.

The studio is open from 9:30am each workshop morning. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier than 9:45, but please no earlier than 9:30am. If you arrive early, you can make yourself a cuppa and sit and read something from the bookshelf while I finish getting ready for our workshop.