Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

ART 23 - Printmaking I

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU/UC
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 25.50 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/76.50 Total hours/1.50 Unit(s)
  • Lab: 76.50 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/76.50 Total hours/1.50 Unit(s)
  • Total: 102.00 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the basic materials, equipment, and processes of printmaking, including relief (linocut and woodcut), intaglio (drypoint, etching, and collagraph), planography (lithography and monotype), and stencil (screenprint).

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Create a portfolio of work demonstrating formal, conceptual, and material development in a broad range of printmaking techniques.
  2. Evaluate and critique class projects using correct terminology in oral or written formats.
  3. Examine and describe historical and contemporary developments, trends, materials, and approaches in printmaking.
  4. Safely handle and maintain the print lab equipment.
  5. Translate ideas and visual experience into images using both formal and conceptual approaches.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

Introduction and history overview of printmaking

5.00

Materials, methods, and application of techniques for various printmaking processes

6.50

Safe handling, maintenance, and appropriate use of print lab equipment

2.00

Contemporary developments, critical trends, materials, techniques and approaches to printmaking

4.00

Translating ideas and visual experience into images using both formal conceptual approaches

5.00

Group and individual critiques of both in-progress and finished print works

3.00
Total Hours:25.50

Lab

Lab topics and suggested hours
TopicsLab Hrs

Development of drawings and design suitable for each print technique

16.00

Preparation of equipment and materials for each print technique and execution of ideas/printing

45.00

Group and individual critiques on in-progress and finished print works

10.00

Maintain equipment and supplies

5.50
Total Hours:76.50

Methods of Instruction

  1. Class Activities
  2. Demonstrations
  3. Field Trips
  4. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  5. Lecture
  6. Problem-Solving Sessions

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes
  2. Portfolios
  3. Projects
  4. Class participation
  5. Written Assignments
  6. Class Discussion

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Research and present a specific printmaking technique to the class.
  2. Read the handout on the History of Printmaking in preparation for class discussion.

Writing Assignments

  1. Select three student projects and critique them in writing. Be prepared to present your critiques to the class.
  2. Write an essay on an assigned printmaker. Explain the techniques and materials of the artist and discuss the meaning of his/her images in your essay.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Visit a museum or local gallery once a semester to view an art show and write a critique of the exhibition.
  2. Research the Japanese relief printing process and select a Japanese woodblock print to discuss in class.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Fick, B., Grabowski, B. (2015). Printmaking: A Complete guide to Materials & Processes. Laurence King Publishing, 2nd.

Martin, J. (2018). The Encyclopedia of Printmaking Techniques. Search Press, 2nd.

Other Learning Materials

Plates for surface work: wood, copper plates, collagraph plates, Plexiglas, cutters, brayer, sketchbook, Utility knife, xacto knife, printing paper, apron and gloves and drawing material.

Books, DVD's, and videos available in the ARTS Resource Center.

Minimum Qualifications

Art (Masters Required)

Printing Technology