This is an intensive studio course in printmaking. A variety of printmaking techniques will be introduced and practiced during class and reinforced through larger portfolio pieces. These may include stamping, gelli printing, linoleum block printing, reduction printing, collage transfer printing, monotype, or screen printing.
What are the many types of printmaking?
How do artists use printmaking to express their ideas and imagery?
What are the essential knowledge and skills to grow as a printmaker?
What is my personal style of painting?
Major Concepts:
How do I carve a linoleum block? How much ink is the right amount for linoleum printing? How is pattern used in art? How can repetition and variation make a design interesting?
Major Content:
Designing a motif, carving a lino block, rolling out ink with a brayer on a glass plate, getting a good print, creating a repetitive design, how to cut and use a border template while printing.
Unit Assessments:
Design a stamp and create a pattern focused on repetition. Include a second ink color for variety.
Create two stamps and make a repetitive design that depends on the two motifs interacting - printed on a canvas bag.
Written Reflection
Major Concepts:
What is a gelli print? How can I enhance my designs through layering? How can I create textures/ marks on a gelli plate? How can I use a registration tool to print repetitively? How can I create unity in my print, and a cohesive and interesting design?
Major Content:
Transferring an image on a gelli plate, making marks and textures with a variety of tools and stencils, rolling the right amount of acrylic paint for a translucent or opaque gelli print, how to cut and use a registration plate, using positive and negative shapes as a design tool, making compositional choices while working on multiple prints at the same time, how to measure and cut a framing mat.
Unit Assessments:
Select three prints from the printing studio days to display. Cut framing mats for them.
Written reflection.
Major Concepts:
What is a monotype print? How can I design and cut out pieces for an interesting collage? What pre-inked/ textured papers work best for collage transfer? Why does soaking the printing paper enable this process to work? How do I use a printing press?
Major Content:
Making textured papers using printing ink, brayers and texturing tools, collaging techniques, using a printing press.
Unit Assessments:
Select three prints from the printing studio days to display.
Written reflection.
Major Concepts:
What is a lino print? How can I transfer my drawing to a linoleum block? How can line, texture, and contrast enhance my image? How do I safely and accurately carve a lino block? How can test prints help my process in creating an interesting image/ print? How do I get a good and consistent lino print?
Major Content:
Making marks in a lino block, selecting the right carving blade for line quality, creating textures and contrast, graphite rubbing transfer technique, adjusting pressure on the printing press.
Some years we do reduction prints if time and interest allow.
Unit Assessments:
Create a lino print of a pair of shoes, focusing on use of line, texture, and contrast.
Create a lino print of a landscape with a personal connection to you, focusing on use of line, texture, and contrast, and showing space/ depth.
Written reflection.
Major Concepts:
What technique (or combination of techniques) have I found most engaging? What do I know about designing and creating a print from start to finish? How do I want to express myself as a printmaker?
Major Content:
Application of cumulative concepts, practice, and self-expression.
Unit Assessments:
Create a print, or print series, that shows students growth and ability as a printmaker.
Written reflection.