Intro to Relief Printing: Light, Texture & Space

Instructor: Patrick Bulas
Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm
5 weeks: January 20 to February 24 (no class February 17)
Location: In-person Williams Building room 118
$250
Prerequisite: None

Explore the oldest and most approachable form of printmaking through the art of relief printing. Inspired by the work of master artists such as Walter J. Phillips and Ernest Lindner, this course introduces students to traditional techniques of carving and inking linoleum blocks to print images on paper. Students will learn how to use mark making and pattern to represent light, texture, and space. No expensive or complex equipment is required. Through guided projects in genres such as still life, landscape, animals, and portraiture, students will develop their skills and experiment with found objects to add distinctive textures and shapes to their prints. No prior drawing or printmaking experience is required.

Syllabus

  • Still Life: Cutting patterns to create different surfaces and textures. 
  • Landscape: Create space and light by working from a photo of a landscape.
  • Animals: Cutting patterns with fur, scales, feathers, etc.
  • Portraits: Economy of line and use of light.
  • Combining the printing block and found objects: Inking and printing found objects gives students an opportunity to introduce unique textures and shapes to their prints. 

Supplies

  • Speedball Linoleum Cutter or Yasutomo Niji Carving Tool Set (7pc) 

  • 5 pieces of unmounted battleship linoleum 6”x 8” (brown or grey) 

  • 6” Speedball Brayer 

  • 75ml tube of black Speedball Water Soluble Block Printing Ink or a 75mL tube of Cranfield Black Caligo Ink 

  • Wooden spoon (for hand printing) 

  • Palette knife or putty knife 

  • Roll of wax paper 

  • Small piece of Plexiglas or Glass approx. 8” x 11” to roll out ink 

  • Sketchbook (any size-it will be used for note taking and sketching) 

  • Gloves (a box of disposable nitrile gloves is recommended, but a pair of dishwashing gloves would work) 

  • Newsprint pad (18” x 24”) 

  • 5 sheets of Lynx Cover Paper (20” x 26”) 

  • 12” ruler  

  • Pencil  

  • Eraser 

  • Exacto knife 

  • Apron or artmaking shirt (to keep your clothes clean) 

     

For a brief list of frequently used suppliers, please see Where can I purchase supplies? on our FAQ page.

Kitchen Litho 1 Kitchen Litho 3 Print 1 Print 2 Print 3 Print 4 Print 5 Print 6