Julie Niskanen

JULIE NISKANENTeaching

Printmaking II

In printmaking II, students continue to explore printmaking techniques while developing a more personal style and technique skills. Students work in the techniques of collagraph, drypoint, polyester plate lithography, etching, and mezzotint.

Collagraphs
A collagraph is an intaglio print made from a textured plate. Variuos materials such as papers and fabrics are collaged onto the plate (which is often matboard or sintra plastic) and sealed with acrylic medium. The plate is then inked and can be printed multiple times. Students work with several different collagraph techniques: drypoint, collaged materials, gloss & acrylic medium, and the organza fabric technique.

Polyester Plate Lithography
Polyester plate lithography is a technique of lithography that uses Pronto plates or Smart plates instead of the traditional limestone or aluminum lithography plate. This nontoxic form of lithography does not require a lithography press and can be printed on an etching press.

Etching

Students learn the traditional techniques of etching: hard-ground, aquatint, and soft-ground. Students work on copper plates and etch with ferric chloride.