June 8 | Intro to Intaglio, Etching (6 Weeks)

Please note that this class does not meet on June 22, so willl conclude on July 20.

Intaglio printmaking emerged in Europe well after the woodcut print, with the earliest known surviving examples being undated designs for playing cards made in Germany, using drypoint technique in the late 1430s. Engraving had been used by goldsmiths to decorate metalwork, including armor, musical instruments and religious objects since ancient times. Scholars and practitioners of printmaking have suggested that the idea of making prints from engraved plates may well have originated with goldsmiths’ practices of taking an impression on paper of a design engraved on an object, in order to keep a record of their work, or to check the quality.
In our 6-Week Intro to Intaglio course, beginners to experienced students will benefit from learning etching techniques, drypoint techniques, and plate wiping techniques as they move onto familiarizing themselves with intaglio printing. By the end of the multi-week class, students will finish an etching with multiple proofs of their plate in various stages.

With the completion of this class, students will not only produce an edition of prints that reflect the skills built throughout this class but receive authorization in etching at Spudnik.

July 13 | Screenprinting Explorations (6 Weeks)

Screenprinting is an art form with a sometimes daunting degree of possibility. From bold graphic shapes to delicate and detailed halftones, almost any image you can think of can be created with a screen and some ink. So where to begin? 

In Screenprinting Explorations, students will be walked through the steps necessary to pull a successful print in a variety of styles and with increasing complexity. At every stage, students will be encouraged to experiment and explore, pushing the techniques and trying new things. Our eight-week class provides adequate time for new printers to complete a range of projects on paper and fabric. Along the way, students will become familiar with dark room exposure, mesh count, screen tension, ink consistency, and registration. In addition to developing A+ printing skills, this class will help students develop their imagery, be it hand-drawn illustration or digital files, to successfully translate to print. 

By the end of the class, students will know their way around the print shop, and be well equipped to continue printing independently at Spudnik Press.

July 17 | Riso Animation (6 Weeks)

Discover the unique world of Risograph printing and animation in this hands-on four-week course. Beginning with the fundamentals of the Risograph machine, you will progress through a complete animation workflow — learning not just how to print, but how to bring your prints to life.

Using Spectrolite, an intuitive software designed for Riso printing, you will create standalone prints, explore layering techniques, and develop a foundation for animation. From there, you will learn how to scan and composite your work in Photoshop, building toward a finished animated GIF and a short Riso animation to take home.

You will leave the course with prints, contact sheets, and a collection of digital material to continue experimenting with long after the final session. With the Risograph, practice and experimentation are at the heart of every unique result.

What to Bring

— USB drive

— Notebook

No experience is needed, simply a creative spirit and a readiness to experiment.