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Course Syllabus

Course: ART 2240

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Visual Art
Title: Intaglio Printmaking

Semester Approved: Fall 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Summer 2027

Catalog Description: This course explores intaglio printmaking as a dynamic and thriving visual art medium. Students will create original prints utilizing the intaglio processes of collagraph, drypoint, engraving, etching, and mezzotint. Study will include diverse investigations into the evolution and historical significance of each process as well as contemporary trends in the ever-expanding world of printmaking. In addition to a final portfolio of prints presented in a handcrafted clamshell portfolio, students will create a series of unique artist book structures created from recycled intaglio print impressions. A fee is required.

Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3

Justification: This is a studio course in process, history, and production of fine art intaglio prints. Printmaking is included in most higher education curriculums as a prominent visual arts medium. This course is essential for many 2D art majors and is required for many bachelor degree programs in the visual arts during the first two years of study. It is one of many courses for students to choose from to fulfill their Art Studio Electives as part of the AFA in Visual Studies degree at Snow College.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Material Proficiency: Demonstrate a proficiency in materials and techniques. Through demonstrations of tools, materials, and process, students will be exposed to a variety of black & white and color intaglio printmaking techniques utilizing small matte board, metal, and plastic plates. Utilizing this rapid learning style, students will be able to grasp complex processes in a timely manner and adapt this knowledge to larger work as they apply this working knowledge of intaglio to their own creative imagery. Adapting their own voice to their newly acquired skills and developing aesthetics in the medium, students will be able to visually communicate contemporary ideas through the unique marks of this ancient visual language.  Students will be evaluated upon a vast portfolio of small print impressions designed to teach the intricacies of each intaglio process. In addition, students will be evaluated on application of that knowledge by the creation of an edition of prints made by a multitude of intaglio processes pulled from a larger matrix. This will include, the completion, artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship of the final print edition. The evaluation of a hand-crafted clamshell box and various artists’ book studies will also inform the final grade. This practical application of the intaglio printmaking process will showcase the learning that has taken place both conceptually and formally within the discipline. Also, through attendance at and participation in various opportunities for critical analysis, students will gain an informed ability to critique historic and modern graphic prints as well as contemporary work, enhancing their own work and the work of their peers.

Principles of Concept: Demonstrate an integration of conceptual. Through the study of contemporary and historic printmakers students will begin to utilize the medium of intaglio printmaking to incorporate meaningful content to their work. Following the foundation training in process students will respond to prompts designed to inject meaningful content into their creative work. Students will strive for a balance of formal design and embedded content into their creative practice. Students will be evaluated upon a vast portfolio of small print impressions designed to teach the intricacies of each intaglio process. In addition, students will be evaluated on application of that knowledge by the creation of an edition of prints made by a multitude of intaglio processes pulled from a larger matrix. This will include, the completion, artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship of the final print edition. The evaluation of a hand-crafted clamshell box and various artists’ book studies will also inform the final grade. This practical application of the intaglio printmaking process will showcase the learning that has taken place both conceptually and formally within the discipline. Also, through attendance at and participation in various opportunities for critical analysis, students will gain an informed ability to critique historic and modern graphic prints as well as contemporary work, enhancing their own work and the work of their peers.

Historical Context: Demonstrate a fluency in historical content and context. Intaglio printmaking was developed in Europe during the Middle Ages as metalsmiths created intricate designs on armor. As the technology evolved into a reproductive printing process by applying pressure to moist paper to accept the inked impression of the dimensional plate, artists naturally adapted it to imagery. The technology is still utilized in the industry today to print United States paper currency. Historical context is important for developing artists as they articulate their place in the historical contribution of the medium. Students will be exposed to major historical figures in the history of the medium and will be able to trace the historical influence on contemporary printmakers. This historical awareness will promote each student’s informed understanding and appreciation of where their work exists in the continuing history of the medium.  Students will be evaluated upon a vast portfolio of small print impressions designed to teach the intricacies of each intaglio process. In addition, students will be evaluated on application of that knowledge by the creation of an edition of prints made by a multitude of intaglio processes pulled from a larger matrix. This will include, the completion, artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship of the final print edition. The evaluation of a hand-crafted clamshell box and various artists’ book studies will also inform the final grade. This practical application of the intaglio printmaking process will showcase the learning that has taken place both conceptually and formally within the discipline. Also, through attendance at and participation in various opportunities for critical analysis, students will gain an informed ability to critique historic and modern graphic prints as well as contemporary work, enhancing their own work and the work of their peers.

Critical Theory: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze a work of art. Students will practice the process of critical analysis as it applies to both formal and conceptual principles within the printmaking discipline. A reciprocal critical dialog with material competency, formal composition, informed concept, historical context, and craftsmanship issues of the medium. Group critiques will be conducted and students will be encouraged to practice casual discourse with their peers as they engage in a collective studio environment fostering the development and improvement of creative works. Utilizing critical analysis skills and embracing the reciprocal critical dialog, students will develop a critical eye to inform recognize success, identify weaknesses, and foster improvement in current and future work. Students will be evaluated upon a vast portfolio of small print impressions designed to teach the intricacies of each intaglio process. In addition, students will be evaluated on application of that knowledge by the creation of an edition of prints made by a multitude of intaglio processes pulled from a larger matrix. This will include, the completion, artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship of the final print edition. The evaluation of a hand-crafted clamshell box and various artists’ book studies will also inform the final grade. This practical application of the intaglio printmaking process will showcase the learning that has taken place both conceptually and formally within the discipline. Also, through attendance at and participation in various opportunities for critical analysis, students will gain an informed ability to critique historic and modern graphic prints as well as contemporary work, enhancing their own work and the work of their peers.

Creative Process: Demonstrate the application of the creative process. This course will promote unique strategies to learn to visually communicate in the intaglio printing process. Students will be exposed to a variety of creative methods to assist in developing concept into their prints. The creative process in this course is inclusive to a variety of image-making practices and allows for diversity in interpretation of assignment prompts. Ultimately, students will begin to integrate what they have learned into their own practice. Students will be evaluated upon a vast portfolio of small print impressions designed to teach the intricacies of each intaglio process. In addition, students will be evaluated on application of that knowledge by the creation of an edition of prints made by a multitude of intaglio processes pulled from a larger matrix. This will include, the completion, artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship of the final print edition. The evaluation of a hand-crafted clamshell box and various artists’ book studies will also inform the final grade. This practical application of the intaglio printmaking process will showcase the learning that has taken place both conceptually and formally within the discipline. Also, through attendance at and participation in various opportunities for critical analysis, students will gain an informed ability to critique historic and modern graphic prints as well as contemporary work, enhancing their own work and the work of their peers.


Content:
Through demonstrations, slide lectures, readings, practical application, and critiques, students will integrate relief printmaking processes into their creative work. These inclusive and diverse teaching methods are tailored to accommodate unique learning styles that will culminate with a variety of rigorous experiential, creative projects. This course will include study of the following:

· Aesthetic theory, mark making, and compositional strategies as they relate to the unique marks of the intaglio print;
· Demonstrations of multiple intaglio processes including developing imagery, the creation of the matrix, registration, papers, inking, and pulling a print;
· Development of concept, narrative, and meaning to intaglio work through guided prompts provided by the instructor;
· Discussion and practice of pertinent ethical standards, traditions, and taboos in editioning, proofing, numbering, and signing original prints;
· Exploration of historical context, including the study of major figures and movements within the genre of printmaking;
· Group critiques designed to promote a critical dialog between the artist, the artwork, and the viewer that are designed to promote improvement as students critically evaluate their own relief prints and those created by their peers;
· Practical application of intaglio prints through applied creative projects which encompass, but are not limited to, the following intaglio processes: collagraph, drypoint, engraving, etching and mezzotint;
· Readings from the text to supplement information provided during demonstrations and lectures;
· Slide lectures directly related to the process, history, and contemporary application of each intaglio technique;
· The creation of multiple experimental book structures made from extra intaglio impressions and a handcrafted clamshell portfolio box to store and present prints.

Key Performance Indicators:
A comprehensive portfolio of original intaglio prints, a limited edition, artists’ book studies, and the construction of a clamshell portfolio box. Each will be evaluated on artistic merit, innovation, and level of craftsmanship  80 to 90%

Participation in discussions, and critiques  10 to 20%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials & Process, Boxes. Bill Fick & Beth Grabawski, Lawrence King Publishing Ltd., current edition.

Each student will be required to provide tools, supplies, and consumables at the instructor’s discretion in addition to what is provided through the course program fee.


Pedagogy Statement:
This course will include, applied studio projects, class discussions, critiques, demonstrations, and slide lectures, as they apply to the creative discipline of intaglio printmaking. This diverse and multi-faceted learning environment promotes productivity and a high level of engagement and inclusion during each three-hour studio block. It also promotes a meaningful and productive work ethic as students perform independently in the studio between each class.

This course privileges a community studio environment. From the first day of class, students are encouraged to spend time collectively, not only within the structure of class time but outside of class, together in the studio working in an informal creative environment. This is where ideas flow freely between student colleagues and trust and belonging is developed amongst members of a diverse and creative team. This prepares students for the highly-collaborative and creative industry where diverse ideas are combined to problem solve. During class, casual critical dialog is practiced between students and instructor. Formal group critique strategies are tailored to enhance the worth of each student’s creative vision and to critically evaluate the work of each student in a constructive manner. Prompts for each project are designed to promote a wide range of visual interpretation and inclusion of various conceptual insights, including but not limited to, age, ethnicity, culture, gender, and religion. Visual art, in its essence, promotes inclusivity as students explore unique personal concepts.


Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 12
Optimum Class Size: 12