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Fine Arts · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Relief Advanced Printing

Relief printing is bold, direct, and graphic. This course explores the subtractive methods of Woodcut and Linocut at an advanced level. Students will learn the “Reduction Method” (destroying the block as you print layers), explore the fine detail of Wood Engraving (printing from the end-grain), and experiment with large-scale printing where the “press” might be a steamroller or hand-burnishing tool.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master the "Reduction Cut" (Suicide Print) method for multicolor editions
  2. Execute "Wood Engraving": Fine detail work on end-grain blocks
  3. Differentiate between Western (Oil-based) and Japanese (Moku Hanga/Water-based) traditions
  4. Sharpen and maintain relief tools (Gouges and Chisels)
  5. Print large-scale blocks by hand (Burnishing) without a press
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Advanced Relief Materials: Lino vs. Birch vs. Resingrave
  2. 02Tool Sharpening & Maintenance
  3. 03The Reduction Method I: Planning Layers
  4. 04The Reduction Method II: Registration
  5. 05Multi-Block Printing: Key Block vs. Color Blocks
  6. 06Texture & Mark Making: Power Tools (Dremel)
  7. 07Gradient Rolls (Rainbow Roll)
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Wood Engraving: End-Grain History
  10. 10Wood Engraving: Burins & Fine Lines
  11. 11The Puzzle Block: Cutting apart the matrix
  12. 12Japanese Woodblock (Moku Hanga) Intro
  13. 13Chine-collé for Relief
  14. 14Large Scale Printing: Hand Burnishing
  15. 15Embossing (Blind Relief)
  16. 16Final Project: The Reduction Lino Edition (5+ Colors)

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Reduction Lino Edition (5+ Colors)

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Relief Printmaking by Ann Westley
  2. Woodblock Printing by F. Morley Fletcher
  3. Japanese Woodblock Printing by Rebecca Salter
  4. Linocut for Artists and Designers by Nick Morley
  5. The Woodcut Artist's Handbook by George A. Walker
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