This class will explore the many varied techniques within the Relief family. We will be working with the following materials: linoleum, soft cut rubber, Mat board for Collagraphs and plastic plates for Carborundum Relief prints. We will also be looking at Monoprinting and Stencils to be used in collaboration with one or two of the other techniques.
All of these techniques in their own right are viable and acceptable ways of making prints. However it is my opinion that when some of these techniques are intertwined with each other that the surfaces start to resonate and richness emerges. So emphasis will be placed on combining the different methods and techniques in some of the assignments with additional hand drawing in an effort to create dimensional and unique images.
All of the Relief projects will highlight the individual nuances of each technique in a suite of ten to fifteen prints per assignment. In addition each project will have a twist or secondary layer that will challenge your skills, techniques and ideas. Traditional printmaking is all about continuity and Edition printing but in this class we will be more experimental in nature and the Printshop in general will be our test kitchen. We will still learn how to edition prints but the focus will be creating unique prints and a professional portfolio.
This class will demonstrate each week a new technique and asks that you spend extra time in the studio and outside of class hours as there are many delicate and time consuming aspects to some of these projects. Each week we will have a group critique of the prints in progress to discuss ideas or problems. These sessions are the heart of this class as we printmakers learn invaluable lessons from each other. The last assignment will be a wall sized Mural and students are expected to present it for a group discussion on the last week of class.