Instructor–Bradlee Shanks
Office Hours: M–W 11-12 Room #145
Phone–974–9291; E–mail: shanks@satie.arts.usf.edu
This course concentrates on creative imaging and expression through the medium of printmaking. Students are challenged to create images that denote (or connote) their interpretations, feelings and beliefs about selected concepts. These concepts can range from the mundane to the sublime, including interpretations of physical reality and/or invented reality. In order to achieve these conceptual goals, students are expected to develop their formal design skills as well as their technical proficiency in the demonstrated applications of printmaking. Recognizing and applying creative urges and impulses are paramount. Along with beautiful aesthetic qualities, printmaking processes can be exploited to generate and realize ideas.
Four projects are required with each project consisting of a series of five finished prints. Each project is based upon one of four printmaking processes including monotype, intaglio, relief and serigraphy. A work–in–progress discussion will be held for each project culminating in a final critique. Critique format will include a verbal statement by each student and a pertinent class discussion based upon the qualitative criteria of form and content.
Images will be evaluated on two levels: Sophistication of technique and impact of idea. Sophistication of technique will be determined by: quality of your craftsmanship and presentation; experimentation and control of media; effect of technique toward meaning and expression. Impact of your ideas will be determined by: committed research of your images as meaningful forms of personal expression; quality of the expression grounded in appropriate formal/technical presentation. Four projects will be graded and your final course grade will be an average of all grades. Each project will count as a possible twenty–five points and will consist of the following: 20 points for five finished prints (5 x [4.0 for "A" grade]=20), 5 points for showing at the work–in–progress discussion.
"A" Grade = 90–100pts =Excellent
"B" Grade = 80–89.9pts.=Good
"C" Grade = 70–79.9pts.=Average
"D" Grade = 60–69.9pts.=Poor
"F" Grade = 0–59.9 pts. = Fail
Late project submissions= one letter grade demotion
Late projects not accepted one week beyond the due date.
Change–of–grade re–submissions accepted no later than next project due date.
4 excused or unexcused absences = 1 letter grade demotion
Each additional absence= 1 letter grade demotion
6 or more absences = automatic failure
2 tardies = one absence
Keep a running total of your grades to avoid any end of the semester surprises.
Week 1–Techniques: plate drawing, registration and printing
Slides: History of Printmaking Part I
Week 2–Techniques: TBA
Print Study: Selected Historical and Contemporary
monotype print
Video: Urban Bonsai
Week 3–Techniques: Curating and flattening prints
Work–in–progress discussion Jan 19; Critique January 31
Week 4– Critique (Monotype); Techniques: Drawing transfer, block cutting techniques for linoleum, relief roll inking, printing techniques, color reduction printing
Slides:History of Printmaking Part II
Week 5– Techniques:TBA
Print Study: Selected Historical and Contemporary Relief Prints
Week 6– Techniques: TBA
Week 7– Techniques: Curating and flattening prints
Week 8–Techniques: Critique
Work–in–progress discussion Feb 16, Critique February 28
Print Study: Selected Historical and Contemporary Serigraphy
Week 9–Techniques: drawing fluid and blockout, indirect hand–cut stencils, squeegee printing, ink mixing, color reduction printing and registration
Week 10–SPRING BREAK
Week 11–Techniques: Curating and flattening prints
Week12-Critique
Work–in–progress discussion Mar22, Critique March 29
Week 13–Techniques: Drypoint and acid etching on copper, inking, wiping and printing
Print Study: Selected Historical and Contemporary intaglio
Week 14– Techniques: Aquatint, scraping and burnishing.
Week 15– Techniques: TBA
Week 16– Techniques: Curating and flattening prints
Work–in–progress discussion April 12 , Critique April 26
Copper plate
black etching ink
Rag paper (Arches, Rives, Sommerset, etc.)
proofing paper (tag board)
tarleton
brushes
gloves
masking tape
linoleum block
relief printing ink
Speedball gouges
proofing paper (tag board)
5 sheets rag or oriental paper
etching ink
proofing paper (tag board)
5 sheets Arches 88
Q-tips
cotton rag
printing inks
proofing paper (tag board)
Arches 88 paper, Fabriano Pescia
hand cleaner
respirator
apron
vinyl gloves