Introduction

Over the last quarter of a century there has been a revival of interest in traditional hand printing methods among contemporary artists. This introductory printmaking course will focus on relief, and intaglio printing processes. As outlined below, the class will explore monotype, drypoint, linocut, and a few other printing techniques.

#1 – Monotype (black)
#2 – Linocut – single block mono and polychromatic and multicolor
#3 – Drypoint – plastic plate w/ tinted black ink
#4 – Collagraph – multicolor water based inks
#5 – Photopolymer Etching
#6 – Litho-plate (smart plate)

Course Goals

By the conclusion of the course the student should:

1 – gain a basic understanding of the printmaking processes.
2 – have developed a rudimentary skill  with printmaking tools and equipment.
3 – possess an awareness of safety and health concerns associated with printmaking.
4 – have a knowledge of the history of the printmaking processes as well as influential printmakers.
5 – gain experience and expertise in developing a body of work that is consistent in theme, technique and/or design.

Supplies

There will be a course charge that will cover proof papers, solvents, inks, hand tools, equipment, and many miscellaneous materials supplied by the Art & Design Department. Although expensive, it is to the student’s advantage to possess his or her personal hand tools and inks. With care these items should last many years. Other basic supplies may still need to be purchased by the student. Specialized tools may have to be ordered from national suppliers. Students will be informed of the supplies necessary for each project.

Total $90.00

Departmental Policies

In Fall and Spring semesters:
3 unexcused absences from class are allowed in courses that meet twice a week (TR), and 4 are allowed in classes that meet three times a week (MWF).

After these absences have been used, grade penalties will be assigned as followed:

1. After 1 absence, students will have their course grade lowered by one letter grade, 2 absences, two letter grades.
2. Students who have more than 2 absences will be given a failing grade in the class (excused absence are death in the immediate family, documented illness, official ACU-sponsored trips).
3. Arriving tardy 3 times equals one absence that counts against the permitted ones.
4. Students who participate in official University activities (athletics, debate, band, etc.) must provide the required University form one week in advance.
5. Leaving class early without permission from the instructor will be counted as a class absence.

Dress Code
Please follow the dress code outlined in your Student Handbook. You may be asked to leave class if you are not dressed according to the guidelines. Thanks for your cooperation.

Late work policy
Late work will be accepted, however it will be graded down by one letter. It is important that the student submit incomplete work for grading rather than receive a zero.

Please do not wait until the end of the semester to try to work out specific problems.  Come by and talk to me to make arrangements as problems arise.

Cell Phones

Electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, iPads, etc.) may be used in class with caution. Disruption of the class by the sound or use of cell phones, texting, speaking and paging devices are forbidden. A student facing the responsibility of receiving an emergency message by one of these means must notify the instructor at the beginning of class, and may leave the device on.

Course Information:

• Prints are always due at the beginning of the class period on the designated due date.

• Prints will ordinarily be critiqued as a class on the day they are due.

• Unless otherwise stated, all due prints are to be presented in show quality:

1. matted in a professional, perfectly cut, spotless white or off white mat.
2. signed and numbered in pencil
3. framed (unless otherwise noted).

• Prints not in show quality will be penalized (typically by one letter grade), and won’t be displayed publicly (on walls).
• The class final will consist of student final presentations and cleaning the room thoroughly. Nonattendance will reduce the class grade by one letter.
• Work habits in and out of class will also be considered as these directly influence  the quality as well as quantity of the prints produced.

PRINTMAKING LAB RESPONSIBILITIES

As this class demands shared tools and a shared working space, it is important that each student be responsible for maintaining its safety and cleanliness. Tools must be put away securely, projects placed in lockers when possible, and all messes be cleaned up before the responsible student leaves the area.

Note: Because of the importance of orderliness in terms of both efficiency and safety for everyone, students that habitually ignore these management responsibilities will either have their grades severely penalized or be withdrawn at the instructor’s discretion.

GRADING PERCENTAGES

The course final grade will be determined by averaging the grades given to each individual print. Note that particular processes and assignments that are inherently much more challenging and time intensive may be weighted more heavily than faster more simplistic approaches. The grade may be altered by:

1 – poor attendance record
2 – failure to meet all class requirements
3 – poor blog activity

EVALUATION AND GRADING CRITERIA
Listed below are the general criteria that will be used in evaluating individual prints to arrive at a grade, class participation and blog activity. It may also prove useful for the student in making his or her personal evaluations as the work progresses.

1. Relevance: Does it fulfill the assignment?
2. Concept: Is it creative or banal, unique, original or cliché’?
3. Execution: Is it skillfully accomplished with attention to detail and to doing it right?
4. Presentation: Is it clean and matted well?
5. Class participation: during critiques; attendance; work progress;
6. Blog activity: a minimum of 1 comment per required post (every required post participation will be announced), you are also encouraged to add 1 post of your own thinking (not just a link to another website or blog, leave some comments, your opinion, what you think about the work linked, etc). Attention: any post/comment created after April 22 won’t count for your blog activity.

To receive an A: The work is exceptional in design, originality of approach and concept. The work has no technical flaws and is presented in immaculate “show” quality.

To receive a B: The work is very good although there could be some improvement in the design/composition or concept. The work has only very minor technical flaws and is presented in immaculate “show” quality.

To receive a C: The work is good but there are obvious problems in the design or concept. Technical problems are evident but not overly distracting. The presentation may also be imperfect.

To receive a D: The work is below average in execution. Technical problems may be severe and the  presentation may hinder rather than improve the appreciation of the work.

To receive an F: The work is obviously unfinished and/or exhibit little or no understanding of good design, originality or technical processes. The presentation state is poor or nonexistent.

GRADING SCALE:

A+  100        A  95          A-  90

B+  89          B  85          B-  80

C+  79          C   75          C-  70

D+  69         D   65          D-  60

F   59