Photopolymer Gravure & Precision Digital Positives
with Paul Taylor and Mark Nelson
2012 Workshop: June 1, 2, 3, 4
Traditional copper plate photogravure has long been recognized as a printmaking medium that produces beautiful, rich prints prized for their unique tonalities, textures, and depth. In recent years, some printmakers have been working with photopolymer plates that are directly exposed with UV light, developed in water, and inked and printed much like copper plates to achieve similar results.
This four day intensive workshop is presented by two masters of printmaking, Paul Taylor and Mark Nelson, each offering students their specialized expertise in various aspects of this process.
Workshop Details
Mark will cover the plate making process with his unique approach to the double exposure method, which produces plates with incredibly long tonal range (rivaling palladium), sharp detail, and very smooth prints. This method produces highly predictable results, eliminating the struggle of how to properly expose photopolymer plates. Just wait until you see what these plates can really do! Each student will receive their own high quality precision digital negatives aquatint screen to use and take home.
Paul will cover the printmaking process. This will include inks, ink preparation and conditioning, applying ink to the plate and wiping the plate. Paul will also cover printmaking papers, preparing the paper for printing and how to finish prints. Students will learn about adjusting presses and blankets and a variety of unique printing methods including, chine colle, oil rolls, tissue printing, and print varnishing.
Prospective students must have a reasonable understanding of Photoshop to participate. Platemaking or printmaking experience is not required. Images do not have to be of photographic origin. Students will be asked to bring Photoshop files of images or drawings and a laptop. A thumb drive for transferring images is also recommended.
Housed in a remodeled 19th century barn on the bank of the Ashuelot River, Renaissance Press provides a beautiful setting for students to learn this exciting process.
About the Printmakers
Paul Taylor is a Master Photogravure Plate Maker, and Printer and Director of Renaissance Press. Paul's work with early photographic process spans over thirty years of intensive work and study. He is the founder of The Rhode Island School of Design Press and has been teaching photogravure at RISD since 1993. Renaissance Press Prints are collected by Museums internationally. Artists published or produced at Renaissance include: Duane Michals, Robert Mapplethorpe, Joel Peter Witkin, Linda Connor, Robert Adams, Aaron Siskind, Roy DeCarava, Tom Baril, and many others.
Mark Nelson is author of Precision Digital Negatives for Silver and Other Alternative Photographic Processes. He is a photographer and Master Printer of the beautiful platinum and palladium process. He has written articles for books and magazines and has taught his method of printing with digital negatives to hundreds of photographers, including Dick Arentz, Sam Wang, Christina Anderson, David Michael Kennedy, Josephine Sacabo, Beth Moon, and Brigitte Carnochan. Mark has adapted his unique Precision Digital Negatives System to craft positives for both traditional copper plate photogravure and for the photopolymer plate gravure method.
More Information
Contact: Mark Nelson at ender100@aol.com for more information and/or to enroll. For questions prior to registering please call Paul Taylor 603-239-9990.
Location: Renaissance Press, 2 Ashuelot Main Street. Ashuelot, New Hampshire
Workshop Fee: $950
Lab Fee: To Be Announced (Approximately $100)
Advance Deposit: $250 (non-refundable—can be made by PayPal to assure your spot in the workshop)
Lodging: Lodging is conveniently located in the beautiful setting of nearby Brattleboro, Vermont. For a listing of available lodging, see: http://www.brattleborochamber.org/visit/lodge.php