Tetrapak Drypoint

Explore the simple medium of drypoint intaglio printmaking using plates made from recycled drink packaging known as Tetra Pak.  Your tutor for this workshop is Glenda Hennig.

Tetra Pak is a type of plasticized cardboard carton for juice and other liquids, folded from a single sheet into a box shape. They are usually lined with a thin sheet of aluminium, which we can use as our plate surface.

Working on Tetra Pak has similar qualities to traditional drypoint on plastic or metal, but has the benefits of repurposing a waste material. The structure of the Tetra Pak packaging allows for more experimental approaches including creating dark tones by stripping away the top layers of the material to expose the card underneath. The creases of the packaging can also be a feature of your design.

You’ll learn:
• How to use the Tetra Pak packaging in interesting ways to create your drypoint plates
• How to ink up the Tetra Pak plates, including tips and tricks to enhance your print and minimise accidental scratching
• How to continue making and printing at home with kitchen equipment and recycled materials

For inks, we use low-toxic Akua Intaglio inks which are soy-based with water wash-up and we print onto artist quality printmaking papers.

You’ll create a small edition of prints from your own drawing, copyright-free internet image. or photograph.

Can’t draw? No worries! You just trace your image onto your plate.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of art experience.

About the Tutor:  Glenda is a Brisbane based printmaker, papermaker, and maker of artist’s books.  She has many years of art teaching experience, both in schools and for adults. Her art practice usually involves the places where we set up home; houses, gardens, or the natural world outside our back doors. She likes to explore lagoons and creeks and the trees, plants and creatures there, weeds and bugs included, making drawings, prints and paper that reflect her interest in what grows and lives in wilder urban spaces.