2024 Summer Workshops
Photoshop is a powerful tool for printmakers working with multi-plate images. Students will learn how to manipulate their own imagery (photo/drawing/painting) or appropriated imagery in photoshop for output into ‘traditional print’ processes. This class will focus on breaking a single image into a 3-4 layer woodblock print and transferring layers to woodblocks for carving and printing. A significant amount of class time will be spent learning ink chemistry, complicated color mixing strategies, and color pallets. Students will emerge from the class with a solid edition of a 3-4 color woodblock print.
Please bring to class: woodcarving tools, images (photo, collage, painting, drawing) to make multi-block color print from. Make sure image has good tonal range. Hard copies are fine, but digital copies recommended. Bring more than one and we will choose best for this process. Ten sheets of white BFK Rives (22 x30 inches) will be provided as part of the materials fee. Additional sheets may be purchased from the Work Center at $5 per sheet.
Biography
Rob Swainston is Assistant Professor in Printmaking at SUNY Purchase College and Master Printer for collaborative printshop Prints of Darkness. He received a BA from Hampshire College, an MFA from Columbia University, and attended Skowhegan, Marie Walsh Sharpe, and the Fine Arts Work Center. His work sits at the intersection of printmaking, painting, installation and sculpture. Exhibitions include Marginal Utility, David Krut, BravinLee, Socrates, Smack Mellon, Queens Museum, and Bronx Museum.