Workshop

INTRO TO ETCHING II: SOFTGROUND

Instructor: Liz Bannish

June 7, from 10AM – 4PM

1-day course, Wednesday

Class size 4-6, All Levels

$160 Members, $210 Non-members

*Cost includes most needed materials and instruction

Registration Deadline: June 4, 2023

Part of CCP’s continuing introductory series on etching. This workshop builds on your previous experience with etching and intaglio printing, or, can be a great introduction for those who are new to these processes! The focus of this class will be soft ground. Soft ground grants the artist interesting freedoms with etching, as you can achieve crayon or pencil-like marks. In addition to these, textures from leaves, lace, and other flat objects can be embedded into the plate and printed, for surprising organic patterns that reproduce wonderfully in print.

In this one day workshop, we will cover plate preparation, image transfer and drawing, and texture embossing to create our plates. We will then move to plate inking, wiping, and printing on an etching press. Hone your understanding of common printmaking equipment, terminology, processes, chemical safety, and studio set-up. Enjoy translating your artistry through this historical process that has remained relatively unchanged for centuries! All levels welcome.

Please arrive with a 6” x 9” sketch or finished drawing that can be transferred to a plate.
Workshop fee covers materials, including one 6” x 9” copper plate and 4 sheets of
11” x 15” archival rag paper.

Questions? Please email Workshop Coordinator Toni Miraldi at tmiraldi@contemprints.org

LIZ BANNISH lives and works in Norwalk, CT as Studio Manager and Collaborative Printer for the Center for Contemporary Printmaking. She earned her BFA in Printmaking and Art History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2011 with her award-winning show of stone lithographs. Afterward, she served as an intern for Zea Mays Printmaking, bringing their research in non-toxic printmaking to SGC San Francisco in 2013. She served as Printmaking and Photo Technician for Smith College in Northampton, MA for five years, running their printmaking studio, letterpress studio, photo darkrooms, and OSHA compliance programs. Liz has trained with masters Barry Moser (Pennyroyal Press), Peter Pettengill (Wingate Studios), and Liz Chalfin (Zea Mays Printmaking). Her personal work spans the media of sustainable and traditional printmaking and includes relief, etching, lithography, and alternative photography. When not getting her hands inky, Liz dives for the local aquarium.

Visit Liz at www.lizbannish.com and instagram @lizbannish.