I love teaching but I also love taking classes. When I saw that Bruno Nadalin was teaching an Introduction to Printmaking class here at the Jersey City Art School and it did fit with my schedule, I signed up right away. 4 Thursday evenings – well spent :)
We did Linocuts in elementary school and I have been interested in picking this up and incorporating it into my artwork for a while again- as stamp carving is all the craze right now – but for some odd reason, I needed an outside push to do so. And so the class came at a perfect timing. We started with basic shapes and patterns in linoleum and also rubber to get used to the tools and materials.
I started playing with those two very simple cuts on the top and trying them out with all kinds of Acrylic Paint Mediums in my Art Journal but also as collage elements after printing.
In the 2nd session we started cutting designs based on our own images. I started cutting linoleum and chose a painting of mine – On The Flip Side . I loved the result. While I was not happy with some areas and learned a lot about negative and positive space – I really loved the way how detailed the pattern can get on linoleum and how the prints come out.
I was so inspired by the class, that I couldn’t stop thinking about designs, drawing up designs and carving like a maniac. As you can see I sticked to rubber though as this can be incorporated easier with the acrylics I use and also with the kind of art work I do usually.
I went also through an even more insane phase of testing the carved stamps with different acrylic mediums – like printing with acrylic paints, and inks but also intermixing them – and had a blast :)
In the 3rd sesssion we did something which is called “Reduction” Print, where you basically print in different colors layered on top of each other, altering your carving in between each printing process.
The funny thing was that I was first a bit hesitant about this technique. WHAT – you make me do all the work in carving and then I have to change my carving and the piece is gone? Yeah- to all my students reading this – stop giggling- I know I know- I make you change your beloved layers all the time! But that is exactly why every teacher should take classes too – just to remember what it is like to be back in school ;)
Anyway- I happened to LOVE this technique so much- cannot even tell you!
I couldn’t stop
And even at home I kept on going with the bird …getting smaller and smaller, experimenting with Monoprints/-types. Fun!
The last session was all about printing and manifesting the things we learned. I wasn’t super productive and my wayyyyy to complicated design of another former painting of mine turned into a bit of an Jean-Michel Basquiat butchering attempt- LOL. Doesn’t matter- still had fun ;)
Bruno was a great teacher and his prints and carvings on his website are extremely cool – so are his ink and pen paintings. If you are in the area I can really recommend taking a class from him!
What I learned in this class:
- Sometimes you really have to think through from beginning to end.
- Taking a class can spark so much and give you new drive for your own artwork
- It is ok to create a tool which is going to look different in about 5 minutes …change is good ;)
- Although I really loved the prints with linoleum I found it extremely hard on my hands and I also had a hard time incorporating them in my own style of artwork at home
- Rubber is less forgiving than Linoleum
- A rubber brayer needs care when used in printing
- It’s just rubber … ;)
- Which brayer rollers for which methods and paint mediums work best
What I take away for the future:
- I love incorporating my own paintings in a different way into other pieces of my artwork- I want to do this more often.
- I love the look of hand carved lines and patterns in prints that I tear up and then use as collage pieces.
- Do not get too complicated too early- practicing is key – do as you tell your own students- LOL
Hope you enjoyed this little Back To School post – there will be a new one coming soon :) Guess what …I am taking another class starting this week. More later ;)
Have a great start into your week!
Comments (6)
Gunvor
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I do love your strolls and to see through your camera lens. This time I really enjoyed the beach photoes – there is something about beaches “off season” that I love. I can see the Yoda face when you mention it, but for me it was a Teenage mutant ninja turtle on the Shell …
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Cindy L
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First of all, how totally awesome to come across that new Shepard Fairey mural, then to see him there in person…wow!! I would have been completely tongue tied like you…lol. I continue to be completely in love and impressed with street art and would have been swooning at the sight of the artist..ha ha! Thanks for sharing as always!!
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andrene
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Love your monthly strolls and seeing the murals. I’m certain they so much more impressive in real life! Shepard Fairey is from my hometown (Charleston SC) and he did some beautiful work here back in 2014. And absolutely Yoda!!! You nailed it ?
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Hélène
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Hi Nat, I really enjoy reading your posts and especially the stroll through the Hood! From out there in Paris it Vives me great insight on NY & NJ. Sometime I’ll come and see it all by myself. Big hugs from an old fan of yours
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Sue Clarke
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Not sure if I would have come up with Yoda on my own, but I do see a face for sure. It continues to amaze me that you have such a view of Lady Liberty and you don’t even live in NYC. Love that first mural and how the brick gives it such a perfect texture (goes along with the strong lady).
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Kathy P
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I so enjoy the view through your lens, Nat! Wonderful perspectives, beautiful composition. I MUST take a drive up to see this artsy city you call home! And I enjoyed seeing the horseshoe crabs—-I grew up on the southeastern CT shore and these babies were everywhere! I actually saw Cirious George in yours here! Thanks for starting met Saturday off with a smile.
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