Printmaking - BAIL202

As part of this module I set myself a challenge to try something new. Not only do I plan to develop and build upon my existing practice and techniques, but I also find it as valuable to step outside of my comfort zone experiment with an entirely new process.

Therefore, I have chosen printmaking to enrich my learning and give myself plenty of opportunities to reflect on something unfamiliar. I have tried some versions of printmaking before, but that was years before I even started university, so my skills and preferences have dramatically changed since then. I wish to revisit these processes with a fresh outlook and new inspiration.

Given the time constraint, I will only have time to fully concentrate on one type of printmaking. In order to make a justified and well informed decision about which process to pursue, I have conducted some research:

Lino

Materials/Equipment: lino sheet, cutting tools, ink, paper, roll, cutting plate.
Effect: Block colours, fine detail is difficult to achieve, especially at a beginners level.

Intaglio/Dry-Point Etching

Materials/Equipment: Etching plate (can be a piece of copper, or perspex), etching tools (any sharp pointed utensil), ink, cheesecloth/tarlatan/scrim, absorbent paper.

Effect: Fine detail can easily be achieved. Delicate, fine lines rather than blocks of solid colour. 

Collagraph 

Materials/Equipment: Anything! Any material which creates a relief/interesting texture can be glued to a board to create a print from. Ink, roller, paper and press.
Effect: More experimental. All sorts of outcomes can be achieved, but this may take some time to discover through trial and error.

Woodcut

Materials/Equipment: Wood block, specialist wood carving tools, ink, paper, press. 

Effect: Similar to lino. Bold and high contrast. No tonal values. Perhaps harder to work with than lino, due to the tougher material?

I chose the above selection of printmaking techniques to research, as I felt like they would all be accessible and easy to set up (given the time left for this module). After conducting this research, I have chosen to work with dry-point etching, given the high volume of detail that can be achieved, even at a beginners level.  I feel like the end aesthetic will compliment my existing work, as well as showcasing a new set of skills to enrich my portfolio.