Print Making
BASIC PRINT MAKING 1 COURSE-
During the first semester of my senior year, I enrolled in a basic printmaking course, an art form I was completely unfamiliar with. Prior to this class, I had never worked with printmaking techniques or even closely observed the process. Our first project began with creating sketches for a linoleum block measuring 4” x 6”. We started by producing black-and-white prints, which allowed us to focus on understanding carving techniques and the fundamentals of image transfer. Later in the semester, we progressed to creating a portrait linoleum stamp. For the portrait assignment, I was hesitant to draw a traditional face, so instead I chose to use a photograph of a skier as my source image. While this interpretation differed slightly from the original prompt, it still met the project’s requirements and allowed me to think creatively while staying within the grading guidelines. This decision helped me approach the assignment in a way that felt both comfortable and innovative.
We then moved on to our first multi-colored print. For this project, I chose to create an image of a sardine can using red and blue inks. The process was both challenging and fascinating, as it required careful planning and a deeper understanding of how each layer of color would interact during the printing process. This project pushed me to think critically about sequencing, reduction, and what elements needed to be carved away at each stage. As the semester progressed, I noticed significant improvement in my carving skills. My work became more delicate, precise, and detailed as I grew more comfortable using the carving tools. Typically, we produced around ten prints of each design, reinforcing the importance of repetition while also providing multiple copies of our work. I especially appreciated this aspect of printmaking, as it allowed me to gift and share my prints with others.
Later in the course, I explored a new printmaking technique known as drypoint. Although the process was drastically different from linoleum stamping, I found it equally engaging. For drypoint, we worked with an 8” x 10” sheet of plexiglass. The original drawing was placed beneath the plexiglass, and using an etching tool, the image was carefully incised into the surface. One of the challenges of this method was that the etched lines were nearly invisible, often appearing as faint white marks from the plexiglass dust, making it difficult to see the progress of the work. Additionally, the etching tool required controlled line work and did not allow for loose or scribbled marks.
Despite these challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed the drypoint process and found the technical demands rewarding. Overall, this class expanded my artistic skill set and encouraged me to embrace a completely new medium. I could easily see myself continuing to practice and explore printmaking in the future.