Advanced printmaking: personal project development

What is the course about?

Printmaking is a vital, constantly evolving medium that intersects in multiple ways with most contemporary media and practices. This course will enable you to discover ways to enrich your printmaking and take it in new directions, led by your ideas, and discovery.
As you progress, you’ll receive personalised support for your project execution, emphasising an iterative and reflective process. Documenting your journey will be an integral part of your learning experience, allowing you to track your development and make informed decisions along the way. You will produce exhibition-ready prints, learning about presentation options and how to exhibit your work effectively. This exciting opportunity will help you develop skills in curation, installation, and audience engagement.
Note: this course consists of 30 Thursday evenings (1800-2100) and an additional 9 Saturdays or Sundays (1030-1630; 3 per term). A small proportion of the course content may be delivered online.

What will we cover?

Throughout this course, you will immerse yourself in a variety of sophisticated printmaking methods, including relief, intaglio, laser cutting, photolithography, moving image and screen printing. Our experienced artist-tutors will guide you through hands-on sessions, helping you master new techniques while encouraging you to experiment and innovate. You’ll also learn about sustainable practices and essential safety standards to ensure a responsible and safe studio environment.
In addition to technical skills, you'll focus on developing your personal artistic voice. Through critical engagement with contemporary and historical printmakers, as well as group critiques, you’ll refine your ideas and conceptual frameworks. You'll create a formal project proposal that outlines your artistic vision, setting the stage for your final project.
Recognising, presenting and celebrating students' achievements is an important part of our advanced courses. There will be an opportunity to exhibit your work during or at the end of this course, either within the college or at an external venue.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

By the end of this course you should be able to...
- complete a project proposal, produce and present a body of print/media-based work, and present/exhibit within a group setting
- use a range of digital software/hardware in combination with traditional printmaking processes and develop your own creative practices to produce a body of finished work
- understand in greater depth, and make use of the possibilities and potential inherent within. combinations of media and printmaking processes
- expand your use of printmaking as an expressive medium as a result of your creative exploration of technologies and media, both new and old.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is part of the advanced practice programme and offers a sustained study for printmakers who are eager to take their skills to the next level. Whether you’re looking to refine your techniques or explore new concepts, this course provides a supportive and stimulating environment for artistic development.
As this is an advanced course, students will be expected to be experienced in at least one conventional printmaking processes (or digital printing) Experience with digital imaging or design software will be helpful. but is not essential.
This course may be studied after, or at the same time as, VS986 (Advanced printmaking: practice and discourse). It is intended to help printmakers to discover and develop new possibilities through the exploration of related processes and media.
Self-reflection is an important part of art education and practice. You will be encouraged and expected to evaluate and review your own learning, ways of working and progress. As a student on an advanced course, you should also be prepared to engage with concepts, debates and methods that may differ from those with which you are familiar.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- You will receive one-to-one and group tuition, technical demonstrations, lectures and presentations, group discussion, tutorials, assignments, practical research, workshops and tutor/peer feedback.
- You will be introduced to new techniques and processes, and be given the opportunity to explore their potential within individual and collaborative work.
- You will be taught a combination of concepts and technical/practical skills in City Lit’s print studio and its digital lab, and encouraged to spend some time outside class developing ideas in sketchbooks and studies.
- There will be offsite visits, recommended galleries and exhibitions in London, and recommended viewing/online research, in your own time.
At the end of the course, you will reflect on your artistic journey, discussing your experiences with peers and instructors. This will help you assess your growth and set future goals, ensuring you leave the course inspired and equipped to continue your printmaking exploration.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

If your work involves photography, you will need to use your own camera or phone (as appropriate). You may wish to work on your own laptop/tablet and software, offsite, for the digitally-focused parts of the course; we will provide computers with current software where required on-site. Basic printmaking materials are provided. If your work involves specialist materials or processes, you may need to source them for yourself, through advice/guidance from course tutors.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Suitable progression routes from this course include other advanced City Lit courses, for example: City Lit fine art (VM551/VM552); Developing art practice (VM563); Contemporary practice: personal project (VM676). Other options include application to courses in Higher Education (BA/MA) in relevant subject specialisms, or independent professional/commercial practice in fine art media.

See the links below for examples of work by students who have previously completed this course:
https://startstopstart.weebly.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmWlwRpQ308
https://ourhouseyourhouse.com
https://inkblue.glass