Learn how to create a letterpress broadside - a sheet of paper printed on one side used historically in Europe.
Using poetry or prose of your choosing, you will learn to set and space lead type, ornaments, and/or cuts to reproduce and illuminate your chosen words. With type set, we'll go over how to use the Challenge cylinder press, which is ideal for high-precision printing, as well as refinements to the type form. Once we've finished, you will trade prints so everyone goes home with an assortment of the class's work!
This course covers all material necessary for letterpress certification on typesetting and using the Challenge Press. With a little practice in open studio after this course, you should be ready to take the certification test and demonstrate your capabilities to safely and effectively run a press unsupervised.
Learn about the process, tools, and materials for relief printing and take home your own carved block and prints.
Linocut is a very accessible printmaking process - and SO much fun! Learn the fundamental methods so you can continue your creative explorations at home.
Techniques taught in this workshop:
Cutting techniques and mark-making on a sample block.
Carving your block
Inking it up
Printing your block, both by hand and on a press
Learn about and test different printmaking papers and other substrates.
We will be carving on unmounted battleship gray linoleum and "readycut" (softer) printing blocks.
A 6" X 6" carved block and finished prints, and you'll get a list of materials and where you can find everything you need to continue your journey with linocut printing.
Bring some simple designs that you would like to use (six inches square or smaller), so we can spend our time carving and printing! We also will have some simple designs you can use or create a ‘"Notan" design (we will go over that process).
Kathryn Anderson is an artist, printmaker, and Tacoma resident. She studied at The Art Students League in New York and was a fine arts printmaking major at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. She sells her work internationally and is represented by two galleries in Washington state. She is most inspired by the natural world, and many of her works show the influence of her gardening, bird watching, and excursions into the wild. She focuses mainly on printmaking, specifically linocut and etching. Learn more at https://www.ktastudio.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/kathy.traxler.anderson.
Members are welcome to work on personal projects of all kinds during open studios, which include a monitor but no specific instruction.
The monitor will be exploring a variety of book forms - feel free to drop in and watch over her shoulder as she works out the structural elements that combine to create a book. Bring your projects and your questions and plan to stay awhile.This is not a class or a formal teaching session but a chance to watch a book being made and ask questions about your own projects. We can learn together!
The last half hour is devoted to cleanup.
Monitor: Amy Goldthwaite
Members are welcome to attend the Print & Book Arts open studios to work on personal projects of all kinds. Each session includes a monitor who can answer questions, although no specific instruction is provided. The etching press is available for supervised use by those who are not yet certified for independent use. Letterpress equipment may only be used by those who are certified. The last half hour is devoted to cleanup.
Registration is required for open studio because there is a set number of artisans who can be in the workspace at one time.
You must have taken introductory classes in either printmaking, letterpress, or book arts or have attended a studio orientation. Log in to your BARN account, click on your profile name and check "My event registrations" to ensure you have completed these classes.
Monitor: Janet Sanders
Members are welcome to attend the Print & Book Arts Letterpress open studios to work on personal projects of all kinds. Each session includes a monitor who can answer questions, although no specific instruction is provided. The Challenge letterpress is available for supervised use by those who are not yet certified for independent use. The etching press and other equipment may only be used by those who are certified. The last half hour is devoted to cleanup.
Monitor: Eli Backer
Now that you have learned the basics of linocut, it’s time to hone your skills and try new techniques.
Let’s have some FUN as we review and demonstrate new techniques. You can choose which ones you'd like to explore. Techniques include:
Jigsaw printmaking: Uses one linoleum block to create multi-color prints by cutting the block into sections, inking each section individually, and then piecing them back together to run through the press.
Multiblock printmaking: Uses more than one linoleum block to create multi-layer prints.
Registration techniques: Learn how to make sure your blocks and paper line up perfectly! We'll talk about several techniques and use Ternes Burton™ pins for registration.
Chine-Collé: Incorporates thin papers between the block and the paper to selectively include color and texture. Thin paper is adhered to the backing paper in printing.
Selective inking techniques: Inking different colors on one block and rainbow rolls and gradients.
Printing other substrates: T-shirts (bring a pre-washed T-shirt) and tea towels (provided), and printing on different papers.
We will be carving on unmounted battleship gray linoleum printing blocks (and some E-Z-Cut). We will be printing on Somerset Satin paper with Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash inks (and some other papers for variety). We will be printing with two types of fabric ink.
Linocut Basics or any other linocut class taught by Kathy Anderson.
Kathryn Anderson is an artist, printmaker, and Tacoma resident who studied at The Art Students League of New York, and was a fine arts printmaking major at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She sells her work internationally and is represented by two galleries in Washington state. She is most inspired by the natural world, and many of her works show the influence of her gardening, bird watching, and excursions into the wild. Kathryn’s work focuses mainly on printmaking, specifically linocut and etching. For more information, visit https://www.ktastudio.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/kathy.traxler.anderson
Monitor: Colleen Ebken
This introduction is required for members seeking fob access to, or press certification in, the Print & Book Studio.
This free orientation covers safety, policies, etiquette, supplies, clean up procedures, and an overview of equipment in the Print & Book Arts Studio.
At the end of this session, members can obtain fob access to the studio, allowing them to use the studio independently during BARN hours, whenever it's not in use by a class or another event.
This also is a prerequisite for gaining certification for the studio's etching presses and letterpress equipment, and explains the additional steps needed to get that certification.
Lynn Agnew
Monitor: Lynn Agnew
Monitor: Ann Lovett
Laura Samant
Ask and answer all of your questions about color through guided exploration and the magic of printmaking.
Be introduced to, and explore, various aspects of color theory through a variety of printmaking methods. Concepts include color harmony, mixing, matching, chromatic neutrals, and layering. Methods include quick and alternative methods like string printing, sandpaper, and monotype, allowing you to experiment without the constraints of permanence.
You may register your youth for an optional, supervised lunch hour from 12-1 pm for the duration of this class.
Colorful and vibrant string prints, sandpaper prints, and monotype prints that explore a variety of color combinations and mixing methods.
View BARN’s current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about our Companion Program.
Create unique designs and decorate shirts, bags, and maybe even something from your closet.
If you've ever drawn something and thought it would be great on a shirt, come explore printmaking by creating and printing your designs onto an assortment of everyday wearables. Choose from a selection of materials to bring your ideas to life on everything from canvas bags to patches, shirts, and whatever you have in their closet. Templates and other helpful starting points will be provided to help generate ideas. Tying in personal interests is encouraged!
One or more bag, shirt, patch, or items from home, printed with personalized and hand-made designs.
Learn how to improvise near-endless forms of unique printmaking mediums, including many you can do yourself at home.
Learn a variety of non-traditional printmaking techniques, which will allow you to take your skills home to continue experimenting and exploring. You'll be challenged to think of your own printmaking methods and ways to make techniques your own. You can bring materials from home, experiment with what's available in class, and practice your ability to create and innovate!
String prints, monotype prints, potato and rubber eraser prints, and unique printmaking methods using a variety of common creative materials used in new and innovative ways.
Explore printmaking through a variety of mediums and experiment with color, layers, and unique processes.
Gain foundational knowledge of printmaking and the unique qualities of a few printmaking mediums – based on your interest and those of the class. Students are encouraged to tie their own interests and passions into their designs, and some templates will be provided to help kick-start ideas. As mediums are introduced, you will be given the freedom to spend time on whatever is most exciting to you.
Colorful and vibrant prints in a variety of mediums.
You will be introduced to, and explore, various aspects of color theory through a variety of printmaking methods. Concepts include color harmony, mixing, matching, chromatic neutrals, and layering. Methods include quick and alternative methods like string printing, sandpaper, and monotype, allowing you to experiment without the constraints of permanence.
Create colorful and vibrant string prints, sandpaper prints, and monotype prints that explore a variety of color combinations and mixing methods.
Create your own unique designs and decorate shirts, bags, and maybe even something from your closet!
Have you ever drawn something and thought it would look great on a shirt? Then you'll love this exploration of printmaking. Create and print your designs onto an assortment of everyday wearables - from canvas bags to patches, shirts, and whatever you have in their closet. You can choose from a selection of materials to bring your ideas to life. Templates and other helpful starting points will be provided to help you generate ideas, and tying in personal interests is encouraged!
One or more bag, shirt, patch, or personal item from home, printed with personalized and hand-made designs.
Harvest and process your own pigments, then use them to capture the details and textures of the natural world!
Have you ever wondered where ink, paint, and pigment comes from? You will learn the history and science of pigments, the natural materials and processes used since ancient times, and engage in your own experimentation and exploration of the possibilities in the natural world. Once pigments are made, you will use their pigments to create ink, select and bring in plants from your own environment, and use the ink to arrange creative and beautiful images of nature.
Harvest, process, and make pigments from natural materials; add your pigments to a binder, roll that ink onto plexiglass monotype prints and samples of local plants, and print stunningly detailed impressions using ink you made yourself!
Bring to the second class: natural pigments; berries, plants, dirt, clay, coal, soft rocks, etc. (Crush objects between your fingers, or scrape them against rocks, to test whether they make good pigments. If they leave a colored residue, they're likely good to try!)
Explore printmaking through a variety of mediums while you experiment with color, layers, and unique processes.
Gain foundational knowledge of printmaking and the unique qualities of a few printmaking mediums based on your interest and those of the class. You'll be encouraged to tie your own interests and passions into your designs. Some templates will be provided to help kick-start ideas. As mediums are introduced, you'll be given freedom to spend your time on whatever is most exciting to you.
Have you ever drawn something and thought it would look great on a shirt? Then you'll love this exploration of printmaking. Create and print designs onto an assortment of everyday wearables; from canvas bags to patches, shirts, and whatever you have in their closet. You can choose from a selection of materials to bring your ideas to life! Templates and other helpful starting points will be provided to help students generate ideas, and tying in personal interests is encouraged!
Harvest and process your own pigments, then use them to capture the details and textures of the natural world.
Have you ever wondered where ink, paint, and pigment comes from? Learn the history and science of pigments, the natural materials and processes used since ancient times, and engage in your own experimentation and exploration of the possibilities in the natural world. Once pigments are made, you will use them to create ink, select and bring in plants from your own environment, and use the ink you created to arrange creative and beautiful images of nature.
