Course Syllabus

ART 2240 Intaglio Printmaking

Course Description

This course explores intaglio printmaking as a dynamic and thriving visual art medium. Students will create original prints utilizing the intaglio processes of collagraph, drypoint, engraving, etching, and mezzotint. Study will include investigations into the evolution and historical significance of each process as well as contemporary trends in the ever-expanding world of printmaking. In addition to a final portfolio of prints presented in a handcrafted clamshell portfolio, students will create a series of unique artist book structures created from recycled intaglio print impressions. A fee is required.

Justification

This is a studio course in process, history, and production of fine art intaglio prints. Printmaking is included in most higher education curriculums as a prominent visual arts medium. This course is essential for many 2D art majors and is required for many bachelor degree programs in the visual arts during the first two years of study. It is one of many courses for students to choose from to fulfill their Art Studio Electives as part of the AFA in Visual Studies degree at Snow College.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Material Proficiency: Demonstrate a proficiency in materials and techniques. Through demonstrations of tools, materials, and process, students will be exposed to a variety of black & white and color intaglio printmaking techniques utilizing small matte board, metal, and plastic plates. Utilizing this rapid learning style, students will be able to grasp complex processes in a timely manner and adapt this knowledge to larger work as they apply this working knowledge of intaglio to their own creative imagery. Adapting their own voice to their newly acquired skills and developing aesthetics in the medium, students will be able to visually communicate contemporary ideas through the unique marks of this ancient visual language.
2. Principles of Concept: Demonstrate an integration of conceptual. Through the study of contemporary and historic printmakers students will begin to utilize the medium of intaglio printmaking to incorporate meaningful content to their work. Following the foundation training in process students will respond to prompts designed to inject meaningful content into their creative work. Students will strive for a balance of formal design and embedded content into their creative practice.
3. Historical Context: Demonstrate a fluency in historical content and context. Intaglio printmaking was developed in Europe during the Middle Ages as metalsmiths created intricate designs on armor. As the technology evolved into a reproductive printing process by applying pressure to moist paper to accept the inked impression of the dimensional plate, artists naturally adapted it to imagery. The technology is still utilized in the industry today to print United States paper currency. Historical context is important for developing artists as they articulate their place in the historical contribution of the medium. Students will be exposed to major historical figures in the history of the medium and will be able to trace the historical influence on contemporary printmakers. This historical awareness will promote each student’s informed understanding and appreciation of where their work exists in the continuing history of the medium.
4. Critical Theory: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze a work of art. Students will practice the process of critical analysis as it applies to both formal and conceptual principles within the printmaking discipline. A reciprocal critical dialog with material competency, formal composition, informed concept, historical context, and craftsmanship issues of the medium. Group critiques will be conducted and students will be encouraged to practice casual discourse with their peers as they engage in a collective studio environment fostering the development and improvement of creative works. Utilizing critical analysis skills and embracing the reciprocal critical dialog, students will develop a critical eye to inform recognize success, identify weaknesses, and foster improvement in current and future work.
5. Creative Process: Demonstrate the application of the creative process. This course will promote unique strategies to learn to visually communicate in the intaglio printing process. Students will be exposed to a variety of creative methods to assist in developing concept into their prints. The creative process in this course includes a variety of image-making practices and allows interpretation of assignment prompts. Ultimately, students will begin to integrate what they have learned into their own practice.

Course Content

Through demonstrations, slide lectures, readings, practical application, and critiques, students will integrate relief printmaking processes into their creative work. These teaching methods are tailored to accommodate unique learning styles that will culminate with a variety of rigorous experiential, creative projects. This course will include study of the following: · Aesthetic theory, mark making, and compositional strategies as they relate to the unique marks of the intaglio print; · Demonstrations of multiple intaglio processes including developing imagery, the creation of the matrix, registration, papers, inking, and pulling a print;· Development of concept, narrative, and meaning to intaglio work through guided prompts provided by the instructor;· Discussion and practice of pertinent ethical standards, traditions, and taboos in editioning, proofing, numbering, and signing original prints;· Exploration of historical context, including the study of major figures and movements within the genre of printmaking;· Group critiques designed to promote a critical dialog between the artist, the artwork, and the viewer that are designed to promote improvement as students critically evaluate their own relief prints and those created by their peers;· Practical application of intaglio prints through applied creative projects which encompass, but are not limited to, the following intaglio processes: collagraph, drypoint, engraving, etching and mezzotint;· Readings from the text to supplement information provided during demonstrations and lectures;· Slide lectures directly related to the process, history, and contemporary application of each intaglio technique;· The creation of multiple experimental book structures made from extra intaglio impressions and a handcrafted clamshell portfolio box to store and present prints.