Printmaking Taster Workshop: Drypoint

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Special Information

Materials and equipment provided for students as part of the course and included in course fee:

• Printing press

• Zinc plate or acrylic drypoint sheet

• Etching needles

• Rollers for inking

• Etching inks

• Southbank economy printmaking paper (rough) or similar

• Cartridge paper

• Newsprint

• Tissue paper

• Indelible marker pen

• Small watercolour brushes

• Pencils

• Cotton buds

• Liquid detergent

Essential materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

• An apron or an old shirt

Content of Course

Students will develop an understanding of intaglio drypoint as a means of exploring and developing new visual ideas. The workshop aims to highlight drypoint as an exciting and experimental medium through an exploration of line, surface, layering, light, shade and colour. 

The contents of the workshop will cover:

1. Intaglio drypoint in context, exploring contemporary and historical examples of the medium.

2. Developing a metal plate (zinc) using an etching needle to create an image.

3. Application of printing ink to produce images using drypoint printmaking techniques.

4. Application of colour through ‘a la poupée’ and ‘viscosity’ technique.

5. The use of paper stencils to create positive and negative colour sections.

6. The function and application of print workshop tools and machinery.

7. Health and safety considerations appropriate to print workshop activities.

8. A review of work completed work and a discussion of possible next steps.

Teaching method(s)

The workshop will commence with a slide show relevant to the workshop highlighting contemporary and historical examples of intaglio drypoint. This will be followed by a practical workshop commencing with technical demonstrations followed by an intensive workshop experience under tutorial supervision as follows:

The tutor will give an introductory slide presentation highlighting contemporary and historical examples of drypoint intaglio processes by a selection of artists.

The tutor will demonstrate how work a metal plate (zinc) using an etching needle to create an image.

The tutor will demonstrate the inking and wiping a drypoint plate in readiness for print making. This will include a demonstration of ‘a la poupée’ and ‘viscosity’ technique plus the use of paper stencils.

The tutor will demonstrate how to “pull” a print using paper and a printing press.

Students will develop their own drypoint under supervision by the tutor.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students should be able to:

• Use a selection of tools, inks and machinery confidently to produce a selection of their own images in print using a simple intaglio printmaking technique in a print studio;

• Apply a range of intaglio drypoint processes towards creative outcomes;

• Use printmaking as a creative and experimental visual medium;

• Use a selection of printmaking tools, inks and machinery with confidence;

• Understand health and safety issues and safe working practices within a print workshop.

Sources

Web Sources

https://www.edinburghprintmakers.co.uk/artists

https://www.stjudesprints.co.uk/collections/our-artists

http://www.gpsart.co.uk/

Class Handouts

Technical sheet: Drypoint ‘QuickStart Guide’.

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.