Screen Printing for Teens

This rigorous, engaging, printmaking workshop focuses on monoprint and woodcut methods with an emphasis on layering color to produce luminous results. We begin with observational studies from the natural world, and explore trace, stencil, painterly, and multiple plate monotype methods. Reduction woodcut techniques are then added to layer transparent and opaque color to create a radiant sense of space. We make both editioned and unique prints, alternating between structure and improvisation. This back-and-forth serves as the format for the course as we combine printing using a woodcut matrix with a variety of monoprint methods.

This rigorous, engaging, printmaking workshop explores color monoprint and woodcut processes using hand and laser-cut stencils and blocks to create one-of-a-kind and editioned prints. We begin with observational studies from the natural world and explore monotype with stencils and multiple plates. We then use the laser cutter to cut woodblocks and combine these puzzle block prints with hand carved marks, alternating between structure and improvisation. This back-and-forth serves as the format for the course as we combine multiple matrices in many ways.

Students explore a wide range of traditional and experimental screen printing techniques, examining the expressive potential of digital and mechanical mark-making, richly layered color, and dynamic variable editions. Processes covered include drawing fluid and screen-filler stencils, photo-chemical stencils created from both hand-drawn and digital imagery, monoprints/monotypes, and the integration of found collage materials — all paired with hybrid approaches that merge analog and digitally produced images.