NB
After writing this post and having had a a rethink, I have decided to go ahead and do Introduction to Printmaking before the other core drawing unit
It was a close run thing between this course, for my second module, or “Introduction to Printmaking”. I chose this one as I’m hopeful that there will be elements of printmaking included within the content. Not the I am a stranger to printing. I have done collagraphs and lino/woodcuts in the past. At the moment I am working on a piece to put on the wall of the “Beautiful Day Cafe”, a venue in Hatfield in Hertfordshire, specialising in yoga and life drawing sessions, plus the best vegan chocolate cake I have ever tasted. The proprietors are lovely people and they kindly offered me some wall space to sell a piece of work. The following is the embryonic stage of the process which I hope to conclude by producing at least one complete print by Friday, as I’m scheduled to go to a life drawing session there that evening.
My intention for these plates is to cut around the outlines of the fish using scissors. I will then spray-glue them both to a separate hardboard sheet, one above the other. Between them I plan on adding textured water effects and possibly some water weeds.
Once the print plate has been satisfactorily assembled, I will use my brand new (at least to me) “Jack Press” – a recent acquisition in my studio.
It’s not guaranteed that this fish-inspired composition will actually work. But it’s a fun way to try out a new toy. Also, to add further challenge/complication, I’m going to create it as a series of reductive prints with pale green, blue and black ink.
I’ve been flipping through issue 12 of Pressing Matters (2020) and it gives great food for thought, including articles on printing artists, processes, and workspaces. Inspiring stuff.
References:
Kennedy, J. (2020) Pressing Matters (Issue 12)
Maureen Walker's Introduction to Printmaking Blog 