Printmaking Practices: Developing Techniques (10 credit points)

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• Apron

• Pencils

• Permanent marker

• 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:

• Set of economy woodcut tools

• Etching needle – basic model

• Mountboard – for card printing

• Tracing paper

• Sketchbooks

• Lino jute backed blocks or soft rubber lino

• Black drawing ink

• Glue stick

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

Further material recommendations may be advised.

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Revisiting and developing relief printmaking techniques. This includes learning different ways of cutting, inking and printing a lino or woodblock. Learn how to use stencils and registration techniques to introduce colour in a controlled and expressive manner.

2. Revisiting and developing intaglio techniques. This includes monotype printing and etching with aquatint on zinc plate and introduces non-etch photopolymer prepared acrylic plate printing.

3. Develop new strategies for producing printed images through etching. This includes examining the potential of Chine collé, multiple plate printing, manipulation of plate tone and the addition of colour “á la poupeé” and by painterly application.

4. Revisiting and developing collagraphic techniques to print collagraphs.The student will be encouraged to experiment with monochrome, tone, colour, composition, format and scale.

5. Students will be encouraged to consider and investigate a range of artists and illustrators who have used printmaking as a powerful means of expression and develop visual ideas suitable for print from their own visual research and sketchbooks.

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 a range of working practices and strategies for recording and developing visual information, generating a range of visual ideas suitable to translate into artists’ prints and supported by contextual references.

• Show a confident and enquiring use of materials and processes to explore printmaking practices and techniques to create a range of visual studies and resolved artworks.

• Demonstrate an appropriate judgment to document select, edit and present a body of prints, considering the use of drawing, composition and colour to reveal its value.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Grabowski, B. and Fick, 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.

Journal and periodicals:

• Printmaking Today

Web Sources

www.printmakingtoday.com

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.