Welcome to Printmaking 101. This full-day, comprehensive workshop will get you started on your journey in relief printmaking with expert, step-by-step instruction by experienced artist, Beka Bielman*. This workshop includes a 45 minute lunch break. Tea, coffee and cookies will be available throughout the day.
Relief printmaking has been around since 255 BC in early China. In the early 1900s, the versatile and inexpensive flooring product, linoleum, was available to the public and the German Expressionists saw an opportunity to use it for carving. Since then, they have created an artist-grade linoleum (a.k.a. lino) that will be used in this class. It is easy to carve and cut—perfect for our purposes.
You will spend the first part of the day drawing from the photo you choose. Create a relief print using lino, printing press, and ink. Choose from photos provided (with the option to bring your own**) and learn how to transfer your images onto the lino. You will learn how to choose the complexity of the task at hand. You could make artwork that is simple with clear lines or make more complex pieces – all by considering what to add and what to take away.
After lunch break, we will go over mark making with carving tools. Practice safe use of materials and how to position your piece of lino as you work. Make thick lines, thin lines, and all types of lines in between. By the end of this class, you will come away with new knowledge about relief printmaking. You have the opportunity to carve up to two pieces, depending on time. You will also have the opportunity to print more than one of your artworks, this also depends on time. Ultimately, you will have a beautiful piece of art to share with friends and family.
*Beka Bielman is a fine artist, wife, and mother living in Duvall, WA. She and her small family came to Duvall from Bainbridge Island right before the pandemic. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing. She took a few printmaking classes as a part of her major and enjoyed the process. She came back to it after many years, taking her first class in relief and reductive printmaking at the Kirkland Arts Center. She became enamored with the process of carving and printing and transitioned from oils and charcoal drawings to printmaking. Beka also has a fondness for watercolor, and it shows up in her work.
**You have the option of bringing a photo of your own to use in class. If you do choose this option, please bring in a photo that is no larger than 6" x 8" and no smaller than 4" x 6". Ideally, you will choose a piece with a clear image and larger sections to carve into.
You may also like the following events from Northwest Art Center:
- This Sunday, 25th January, 03:30 pm, Wheel Test Drive - Take Pottery for a Spin! in Duvall
- Next Sunday, 1st February, 12:00 pm, Turkish-Style Candle Holder: Glass Mosaic Workshop, ages 16-adult in Duvall
- Next month, 14th February, 04:00 pm, Valentine's Day Partner Paint Night in Duvall
Also check out other
Arts events in Duvall,
Workshops in Duvall,
Fine Arts events in Duvall.
