Experimental Resist Etching on Copper Plate

Instructor: Hunter Buck
Schedule: Fridays, January 21 - March 11 from 10am - 1pm 
# of Sessions: 8
Location: Main Space & Print Studio
Level/Prerequisite: Beginners
Tuition/Admission: Members $265, Non-Members $330
Supply Fee: $60

Class Description:

Experiment with different resists and techniques to develop interesting textures and tones on copper plate etchings.  These techniques can be layered and manipulated to create depth and value in black and white as well as color.  Processes taught in this class will help students understand fundamental steps in creating a successful etch, wipe and print on paper using techniques professional print shops use such as Crown Point Press and Paulson-Fontaine Press.  Students are encouraged to loosen up allowing the materials and processes to lead them in new directions visually and technically.

Over the course of the 8 sessions, students will begin with basic preparation of the copper plates such as polishing, degreasing, and filing edges.  I will offer students multiple grounds to experiment with such as Soap Ground (known sometimes as white ground), sugar lift, asphaltum, and aquatint.  With a combination of these processes students can begin to develop representational or abstract imagery on a single plate.  Stencils, freehand painting and drawing, transfers, and spray paint will all be possibilities for student exploration.  After creating some fun test plates and students are confident with the equipment and materials, they will work on creating a plan for a final image and if willing they can incorporate a second plate to introduce color.

Bio:
Hunter Buck received a BFA in Printmaking from California College of the Arts in 2012 and an MFA in Visual Studies from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2017.  From 2013 to 2014 he was an assistant printer at fine art printing and gallery Paulson-Bott Press (now Paulson-Fontaine Press).  From 2014 to 2015 he was a resident and assistant photo-gravure printer for Unai San-Martin at the Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA.  He has participated in group shows in Germany, Iceland, Japan, Italy and the United States.  In 2018 he received a fellowship residency at community art center The Ink Shop in Ithaca, NY, where he taught introductory intaglio classes to beginners and experienced printmakers.  

Students Should Prepare or Bring: 
Apron
Images or sketches if interested
Sketchbook
Xacto knife

DMAC will Provide:
Copper plates
Paper
Etching needles
Spray paint
Soap ground
Sugar lift
Asphaltum
Contact paper
Plastic mylar
Mask
Gloves
Sharpie

Minimum Enrollment: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 8