List of Supplies
Class: Defining Values:
Explore Light & Dark with Aquatint & Watercolor
Instructor: Dean Trisko
Students should bring the following to class:
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Any sketches or image ideas for print.
Any preferred drawing tool like a pencil.
Provided Materials include:
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Watercolor paper
Print paper
Drawing and planning materials
2 Copper plates (additional plates can be purchased)
Simple selection of Watercolors
Watercolor brush
Tarlatan
Intaglio ink
Print Shop supplies – etch, aquatint etc.
The intaglio print process will use oil based inks. Some aprons will be available for use,
appropriate clothing is encouraged.
SYLLABUS
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Defining values – Understanding the use lights and dark enriches an artwork. This course
taps into artistic use of value through watercolor and aquatint printmaking. The class
will begin with methods of seeing and planning value studies. The class will go on to use
value design as the basis for intaglio prints using the aquatint process.
This class is open to any interested student, no previous experience in watercolor or
intaglio printmaking is necessary. Student will be encouraged to work within their
individual approaches or “style” of art making. The class does not have set subjects or
approaches prescribed for the class.
The class will focus on how thoughtful use of values (gray scale) in art can be used to
create interest in compositions. Some exercises/examples of working with value scale
Grand Marais Art Colony
3rd
120 W.
Ave. / PO Box 626, Grand Marais, MN, 55604
[email protected] : 218-387-2737
www.GrandMaraisArtColony.org
from observation will be presented. Students are encouraged to explore their own
themes and images in their work. If possible, students may bring any sketches or ideas
for artworks they would like to pursue with them to class. If students have their own
watercolor equipment they are encouraged to bring it to class with them.
Class Schedule *
Monday, June 23 [First day]
1. What is value, intaglio printing, and aquatint - Seeing value in life and a gray
scale
2. Working with water color to create value areas. Set subject or outdoors
3. Demonstration the basic of intaglio printing
A. Plate preparation
B. Inking and wiping
C. Using the press
D. Clean up
4. Making value designs/plans with watercolor
Break
5. Prepare first aquatint “trial” plate aquatint examples, show preparing the
aquatint plate
A. Clean , spray
B. Block out
C. Etch
6. block out prepared plate
D. marker method
E. hard ground
7. etch process
A. Add backer film
B. review bit times
8. Print
*Approximate schedule of class instruction, order and timing of content may be
adjusted based on students interests, knowledge and time constraints.
Tuesday June 24 [Second day]
9. A quick value exercise
10. Planning a value study to take to print
A. Subject and background?
B. using gray tones
C. a design plan (from nature? optional)
11. Second plate for aquatint process. Prepare plate and transfer image to plate.
Break
Grand Marais Art Colony
3rd
120 W.
Ave. / PO Box 626, Grand Marais, MN, 55604
[email protected] : 218-387-2737
www.GrandMaraisArtColony.org
12. Assistance in inking process
13. Work time
Wednesday, June 25 [Third day]
We will focus on providing as much studio work time as possible, with possibly an
open group review of work near the close of class.
14. Review previous days prints
15. refinements – inks, papers, trouble shooting, drying
16. Make adjustments to aquatint plates.
F. Burnishing and scraping
G. Line options – etch, dry point
Break
17. Work time
18. Hand color with WC, other color options
19. Wrap up review of class works
Grand Marais Art Colony
3rd
120 W.
Ave. / PO Box 626, Grand Marais, MN, 55604
[email protected] : 218-387-2737
www.GrandMaraisArtColony.org