Intaglio Printmaking: Contemporary Approaches (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

It is recommended that students have taken one of our other printmaking courses, such as Printmaking Essentials, Printmaking Practices: Developing Techniques or Printmaking Practices: Mastering Print.

 

Special Information

This course will include a limited supply of basic papers and cards. However please do acquire the materials recommended for this course.

Material you will need to bring to the first class:

• Apron

• Etching needle - basic model

• Pencils

• Permanent marker fine and medium

• Biro

• Gloves (dishwashing or disposable varieties)

• Selection of brushes

• Eraser

• Scalpel or equivalent sharp cutting blade

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

• Tracing paper

• Sketchbooks

• Glue stick

• A sheet of “Somerset”, "Fabriano" or equivalent paper for etching

Further material recommendations may be advised

Content of Course

Students will be encouraged to experiment and develop a personal response to the medium, exploiting the creative and innovative possibilities this technique has to offer. Students will explore the possibilities of this historic technique, and also examine how their work addresses more contemporary printmaking concerns. Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. The principles of multiple plate colour etching.

2. Advanced methods for creating tonal structures through the use of acrylic spray aquatint and stop-out resist.

3. Combining acrylic resist methods within a multiple plate etching.

4. Experimenting with printing methods.

5. Printing á la poupée

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes. 

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to develop personal ideas, explore sustained themes, generating ideas suitable for printmaking, supported by a range of practical research and contextual references.

• Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of employing an appropriate range of intaglio printmaking processes, methods, techniques and skills to develop a theme or line of enquiry.

• Evidence an appropriate judgement to document, select, edit and present a body coherent body of intaglio prints.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• d’ARCY HUGHES, A., and Vernon-Morris, H., 2008. Printmaking: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques.  Roto Vision

• GRABOWSKI, B., 2009. Printmaking: a complete guide to materials and processes. London: Laurence King

• ADAM, R. and ROBERTSON, C., 2007. Intaglio: The Complete Safety-First System for Creative Printmaking: Acrylic-Resist Etching, Collagraphy, Engraving, Drypoint, Mezzotint. London: Thames and Hudson

• GRAVER, M., 2011. Non Toxic Printmaking. London: AC Black    

• Edinburgh Printmakers, 2007. Edinburgh Printmakers, 40 Years of Original Prints. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Printmakers

Class Handouts

 

 

 

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.