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Curriculum
After learning the basic skills of each printmaking method
in the first year, the student mainly pursues a four-year course of study
that focuses on the selected type of printmaking.
Woodblock Printing
Rather than only using the traditional method of carving woodblocks using
chisels, the student carves the woodblock using positive or negative carving
in pursuit of a unique world of printing that is born out of the woodblock's
form and texture. While learning various techniques, the student will
constantly discover and explore new forms of self-expression. Genuine
expression is original.
Copper Printing
In copperplate printing, an intaglio image is prepared on a copper plate
using various methods, the removed areas are filled with ink, then strong
pressure is applied to print that image onto paper. This printmaking technique
is detailed and rigorous, permitting abundant and deep gradations. After
working to improve expertise related to pictorial art and design, the
student masters all techniques of copperplate printing, and then focuses
on developing a personal idiom.
Lithography
Invented in the early 19th century, lithography is a relatively new process
of planography that is based on the antipathy of water and grease. In
contrast with other printing processes in which a relief or intaglio image
is cut into a block, lithography employs chemical principles. It is an
extremely free process since the print surface is immediately prepared
by drawing an image with a greasy crayon or ink. Note that printmaking
majors at TAU use aluminum for printing plates. In Europe, lithography
has been called the ‘the painter's printing process’, and was
used extensively by such artists as Toulouse-Lautrec, Chagall, and Picasso.
Years 1, 2, and 3
Basic skills in woodblock printing, copperplate printing, and lithography
are practiced. The student selects one of these three processes for specialization.
Year 4
The student explores self-expression through printmaking and works toward
creating a graduation project that achieves a high state of perfection.
By producing an edition of prints, the student also confirms reproducibility—an
important feature of prints—and strives to perfect basic techniques
as a printmaker.
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