Syllabus and Materials List: Block Printing for the Home
Block Printing for Home
PCC Continuing Education
Instructor Joyce Campbell
Day Wednesday
Time 5:30 pm – 7:20 pm
Winter Schedule
| WEEK | 1 | 2 | 3 | No class | 4 | 5 | 6 | No class | 7 | 8 |
| DATE | 1/14 | 1/21 | 1/28 | 2/4 | 2/11 | 2/18 | 2/25 | 3/4 | 3/11 | 3/18 |
Course Description
Explore simple block printing. Learn about acquiring the right tools and materials to begin carving at home along with learning to design the right image, transfer it to the block, carve, and stamp it. Students can fashion their own greeting cards, printed linens, patterned clothes, and much more.
Required Materials – ** Bring to every class starting week 2**
- Carving tools
- Approximately $8-$25+
- A basic tool is available to borrow during class if needed
- Carving blocks
- Approximately $15-$20 depending on sizes purchased
- Recommended:
- (2-3) 2″ & (2-3) 4″ x 6″
- Or 1 large block to cut into pieces as needed
- easy carve blocks are recommended to start but, traditional lino blocks are acceptable
- Materials to print on
- Cost varies
- Recommended
- Paper (scrap and/or nice)
- clothing items (new and/or used)
- linens (new and/or used)
- Stationary (greeting cards, poster paper, business cards, etc)
- Stamp Pads
- Approximately $4-$6
- minimum 1 color (Black suggested for testing prints)
Additional Materials:
- Pen and/or Pencil
- Baren or spoon
- Sketch pad and pencils
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Tweezers
- Exacto
- Bench Hook
- Brayers and Block printing ink (optional)
Where to shop locally for supplies:
- Blick Art
- Columbia Art supply
- Artist and Craftsman Supply
- I’ve been Framed
- Collage (great stamp pad selection w/ limited printing supplies)
- Michaels (very limited selections but has a few “kit” options)
- Scrap PDX (great spot for paper and items to print on to)
Course Organization
Each week begins with a lecture and creative prompt, followed by open studio time with opportunities for questions and one-on-one guidance.
Safety
- Use Safe Cutting Techniques: Always cut away from the body and keep fingers away from the path of the blade.
- Keep all workspace tidy and organized. Ensure that tools are placed in a safe and accessible manner and that the working area is clear of unnecessary items.
Inclusion
It is expected that students will act as mature members of a progressive and accepting community and understand that under no circumstances will exclusionary speech and behavior be tolerated.
Please feel free to approach the instructor with any concerns.
Course Schedule
Week 1
- Introductions
- Name
- Pronouns
- What brings you to the class?
- Syllabus Review
- The What’s, Why’s, and How’s of Home Block Printing (slideshow link)
- Creative Prompt: A simple start to at-home printing
- Simple carving kits will be provide
- If you purchased or already own a carving tool, bring it week 1
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 2
- Designs: What Works and What Doesn’t (slideshow link)
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 3
- Designing: More tips (slideshow link)
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 4
- Using Ink and a Brayer (slideshow link)
- Limited ink and 3 brayers will be provided to use during class. Feel free to bring your own!
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 5
- Printing patterns (slideshow link)
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 6
- Printing onto Fabric (slideshow link)
- More Ink and Breyer
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 7
- Color Printing Methods (slideshow link)
- Creative Prompt
- Open Studio
- Clean up @ 7:10
Week 8
- Print Party
- Bring previously carved block/blocks or carve a new one
- Print multiples and trade works of art with classmates
- If there is a material/paper your’ve been wanting to experiment with, bring it and we can work through best practices together
- Breyer and ink plates will be available if needed
- Clean up @ 7:10
Link suggestions:
Using the tool: