About

Get in touch with the botanical world and printmaking! Learn the plant transfer technique called frottage and combine it with a variety of other monotype techniques using brushes, solvents, and other materials to create layering effects and one-of-a-kind, multi-colored images.

You'll start by gathering plant cuttings from the landscape around BARN. You're also encouraged to bring your own botanical cuttings (only plants that are soft and easily flattened, please!).

Then you'll roll black, oil-based ink on the plant cuttings with a brayer so you can incorporate them into monotype prints. You'll also explore bringing your plant transfer images to life by adding watercolor.

You'll make prints in two ways: by hand using Kozo Studio (mulberry) washi paper, and with the etching press using cotton rag paper.

Details

• You're encouraged to bring any soft, flat plant cuttings you’d like to print. These can be fresh in a vase or wet paper towel, or dried.
• You're welcome to bring your own water-based paints, such as watercolors or gouache, and soft brushes to apply them. You'll use these to enhance your prints with color.  BARN will provide these if you do not bring them.
• Bring a lunch. BARN has a refrigerator and microwave on the lower level.

Details

A materials fee of $15, included in the price of the class, provides everything you need, including:

• Oil-based printing inks.
• Thai Kozo paper for hand rubbings.
• BFK Rives cotton rag paper for printing with the press.
• Plexiglass plates for monotypes.
• Brayers.
• Ink knives.
• Watercolors and other water-based pigments.
• Brushes.
• Aprons and gloves.

Project

You'll take home at least two 9-inch by 6.5-inch plant transfer prints on washi paper and four 11-inch by 15-inch  monotype prints on BFK Rives paper.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.