Course Description

This course explores creative printmaking techniques that do not require a traditional printing press. Designed for artists, educators, and beginners alike, it introduces accessible methods for creating high-quality prints using simple tools, hand pressure, and a creative mindset.

You will learn a range of press-free printmaking approaches, including relief, monotype, and experimental techniques that can be done at home or in a classroom. This course emphasizes process, experimentation, and problem-solving, encouraging you to adapt techniques to your own materials and ideas.

Through step-by-step demonstrations, practical exercises, and project-based learning, you will develop an understanding of traditional and experimental printmaking principles while building a versatile toolkit for contemporary, low-tech, and mobile print practices. No prior printmaking experience or specialized equipment is required.

Techniques Taught

• How to create great “warm” marks with Traced and Contact Monotype (one colour, blue)
• How to create images with object printing like leaves, combined with traced and contact Monotype (one colour, blue)
• How to layer different methods like Traced and Contact Monotype and Items printing through the combination of them (one colour, black)
• How to combine different simple but effective techniques and layering of different colours (darker blue on top of the previous layer)
• Journal Making by using different kind of papers (maps, old documents, etc.)
• How to build up multiple colours on the same image using different kind of papers previously dyed and others (maps, documents etc.)
• Natural paper and fabric dyeing techniques
• How to generate pictorial images similar to paintings by printing with transparent oil based ink and natural pigments on paper and fabric (many colours)
• How to use the Gelli plate printing method with different objects, stencils and leaves.
• Storytelling through mark making
• How to combine different layers of colour with the Gelli plate method
• How to create cards and small artworks great for collage, decoupage and journaling with the Gelli plate method