There is something to be said about keeping it simple. If you have to fit your studio in a bag you get creative. Exchanging knowledge, seeing other artist work is always inspiring.
Besides the Estonian artist we had participants from Latvia (Paulis Liepa), Hungary (Dorottya Kovács and Molnár Dóra Eszter), UK (Bob Sparham and David Mallard) and USA (Kristina Paabus).

First up was Paulis Liepa who introduced his collography platemaking methods. You could not tell just by looking at his work how it was made.



Paulis Liepa process and results. Photos by Ragnar Neljandi, Tiiu Rebane ja Helen Tago

He first compiles the image from tape, cardboard and plastic. Covers it with PVA glue and when it dries uses the dried glue as the matrix. He prints on regular cheap packing paper, in relief and intaglio then adheres it to plywood and covers with varnish. For the more detailed matrix he uses plotter cut thicker vinyl. The PVA generates really nice random textures and allows for fine detail.

Next up was Kristina Paabus who gave a presentation introducing her background, work and the situation of print in general in the US today. kristinapaabus.com


Kristina Paabus giving her presentation. Photo Lembe Ruben

Also Bob Sparham gave an overview of the situation of art societies in the UK.

Then it was my turn to introduce what I´ve learned using photopolymer film (DK brand). The workshop took place in the sauna. First we laminated the plates, then experimented a bit.


Hungarian printmakers working in the dim

Instead of vacuum frame I used strong clamps and sandwiched the positive with the laminated plate between glass and foam backing.


Photo Helen Tago

For exposing we used a facial tanner (solarium). The main obstacle for this workshop was that we had no aquatint screen, and without exposing images to a screen first the blackest areas would simply wash out. The test plates I previously generated were made the same way. I learned, that as long as the lines are aprox. 3mm wide they will still hold ink.


Photo Helen Tago

This test plate was made before the workshop using a photo positive, marker, plants and another printed positive with text on it.

Some artists used markers, some laser printed transparencies (only relying on the printers own raster) and also local plants. In some cases we utilized Photoshop and generated the Diffusion Dither 300 raster for the transparencies. Below are some test plates and prints made by participating artists.


Works by: Kristina Mirjam Villand (markerdrawing), Kadri Toom, Tiiu Rebane, Dorottya Kovács, Mari Prekup, Astri Müül, Kai Karolin ( the marker drawing was printed from the polate onto a T-shirt ), Bob Sparhami (drawing), Kaupo Kangur.
Photos by Tiiu Rebane, Ragnar Neljandi, Helen Tago.

Muhu Print 2016 show at the Hugarian Institute in Tallinn will open on 30.08.2016