Spanish printmaker and artist Julio León runs a small printmaking taller in Algaida, where attending printmakers form part of the Torculari Etching Collective. The studio provides access to printing facilities and an etching press, as well as Julio’s generous knowledge.
I went along every Tuesday for half a year to, initially, print my first collagraphs created following my tutorial with Marian Haf. Julio then shared his experience to guide me in making my first copper-plate etchings with aquatint.
It was a hugely valuable experience, with the opportunity to learn from both Julio as well as other part-time and practising printmakers. The chance to see other artists’ ideas take shape and their creative process was inspiring and motivating.
As well as etching and aquatint, there were printmakers using techniques such as drypoint, sugar lift, photopolymer, monotype and woodcut. Take a look at some of the Torculari Etching Collective’s work on Instagram.
In coming posts, I’ll share the works I made during my time there.
