Solar Plate Intaglio Photopolymer Workshop with Rowan Collinson
Venue: Gainsborough’s House
This workshop will explore the process of creating and printing intaglio photopolymer solar plates.
Over the course of the day, you will learn how to prepare your images and expose and develop your plate. You will then be shown how to ink and print the plate using a traditional printmaking press.
The solar plate process (also known as photopolymer/photogravure) is a printmaking technique which uses UV light and water to etch light sensitive plates. The technique does not use any harsh chemicals and is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional etching. It is particularly suited to photographic images or scanned drawings, resulting in high-quality, detailed outcomes.
Participants will leave with at least one A5 plate and a series of prints created throughout the day.
What to expect:
- Learn how to prepare your images and transparencies
- Expose and develop intaglio solar plates
- Ink and print your plates
- Create a small edition of prints
Who is this for?
This workshop is aimed at photographers and printmakers with some experience working with intaglio/darkroom processes, and people looking to expand their creative practice.
How to prepare:
Please send two black and white images (photographs or scanned drawings) as high-quality JPEGs or TIFFs to pws@gainsborough.org. These will be printed on acetate before the workshop. All materials will be provided.
Book your space now on the Gainsborough’s House website
Tickets for all Print Workshop Courses can be cancelled up to one month beforehand. Refunds will be given after this date only if the place is re-sold.
About Rowan:
Rowan Collinson is a photographic artist and printmaker based in East Anglia. Her work focuses on natural spaces and the connections between people and place, particularly within the rural landscape of her local area. Sustainability is an important aspect of her practice, and she uses natural materials to reduce the environmental impact and create work which directly engages with and responds to the land.
Rowan is a graduate of Norwich University of the Arts and her work has been exhibited across the UK, including with the London Alternative Photography Collective at the Bristol FolkHouse. She has been published in a range of books, zines and online platforms, and was the featured cover artist for The Unfold Project 2025. Her first solo exhibition, A Field Study, will open in June 2026 at Mill Tye Gallery.
Rowan is an experienced arts educator, and has led and facilitated workshops with Canon UK, FolkEast and EFDSS.
