Joan Hodgkiss is a Suffolk-based printmaker and artist. Her etchings are largely derived from imagery of coastal landscapes, still life and natural history. Using traditional techniques Joan creates contemporary etchings. Subtle differences in the hand-colouring and hand-printing process make each print unique. These limited editions, signed prints give one a chance to own original art or make an ideal fine art gift. All of Joan’s current artwork is showcased in the gallery section. This website also contains details on etching techniques and background information on the artist herself.

Etching is an intaglio technique dating back to the sixteenth century in which acids are used to produce an incised art image on a metal printing plate. First a copper or zinc plate is covered in acid-resistant wax known as a ground. The artist draws through this ground, exposing the meal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which eats into the plate. Varying the exposure can create different intensities of line. Ink is then applied to the plate and the excess removed. Finally prints are made by passing the plate and paper through a press with great pressure to transfer the ink from the sunken lines. Artists such as Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Degas, Toulouse Lautrec, and Whistler have all produced etchings.

All of Joan's prints are original in that each one is a hand-coloured and hand-printed impression of an original design. Joan generally produces 150 such impressions, called an edition, from each of her designs. Each is unique and each is signed and numbered. Thus the 13th print of an edition of 150 will be numbered 13/150 at the bottom left hand side of the image.

Prints produced in this way should not be confused with mass produced art prints or giclees, which, although often signed by the artist and sold as a limited edition are all identical copies and should never be sold as original prints. Genuine etchings will always have an indentation in the paper left by the edges of the plate.

Irving Amen, born 1918 in New York City is known as a master printmaker. He has produced thousands of woodcuts, etchings, lithographs and silk-screen prints. He also creates using oil and acrylic as well as some sculpture. Irving Amen had a studio in New York City for many years but moved to Boca Raton, Florida in the 1990s, where he is still producing his art. He is represented in many major art galleries and museums of the world including the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Many of Amen's works have a Jewish theme. One masterpiece is his set of twelve windows at Congregation Agudas Achim in Columbus, Ohio depicting the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Much of Amen's work depicts women and children and music themes. Chess, Venice and Don Quixote are the subjects of other works. Amen also taught classes in sculpture and printmaking at such schools as the Pratt Institute (1961) and at University of Notre Dame (1962). In 1974, Amen illustrated the classic, Gilgamesh, for the Limited Editions Club with nine 3-color woodcuts and 7 part-page black and white woodcuts and linocuts. 

Printmaking is an art form in which ink or other materials are transferred from a matrix to a material like paper, fabric, wood, or stone. A wide variety of techniques can be used in printmaking, and this art is one of the oldest in the world. Some noted people in the field of printmaking throughout history include Hiroshige, Dürer, Hokusai, and Currier and Ives.

The matrix used for printmaking is classically a block of material such as wood, rubber, or metal. In relief printing, the matrix is carved away to create a raised image, which prints in reverse. Intaglio printing involves incision of the matrix, while planographic techniques like lithography use specially treated flat plates, with the ink adhering in some areas and not in others. The use of stencils and screen printing tools is also a form of printmaking.

Classically printmaking is used for visual art, not the reproduction of text. The matrix is the original artwork and the prints or impressions are copies in the technical sense, but they are often treated as original works of art. Rather than being copies of existing works in other mediums, like photographs of paintings, impressions are actually individual works of art created with the use of the tool. Printmakers may also customize each impression, as in the case of hand-colored engravings, which really are unique works of art because they cannot be produced through duplication.

Although many prints are produced in black and white, they can be made in any color, and multicolored printmaking techniques can also be seen, ranging from simple split fountains in which broad swathes of the matrix are inked with different colors to painstaking planographic techniques in which the plate is painted by hand and then used to make an impression. Historically, impressions were used to distribute works of art and information. In the modern day, this technique is primarily treated as an art form, with some people classifying it in the fine arts while others classify it in crafts. Even historically, prints were often objects of great beauty and value, with people distinguishing between works of art and practical prints utilized to convey basic information.

Although many prints are produced in black and white, they can be made in any color, and multicolored printmaking techniques can also be seen, ranging from simple split fountains in which broad swathes of the matrix are inked with different colors to painstaking planographic techniques in which the plate is painted by hand and then used to make an impression. These reproductions are often referred to simply as prints. Traditional printmaking processes such as lithography had drawbacks. Color reproduction was often imprecise, and prints had to be produced en masse, meaning artists had to buy them in bulk and find a way to safely store the unsold copies.

Many people study printmaking techniques in art school, and printmaking courses are also available as general community education classes at art centers and community colleges. Most art supply stores carry equipment used in printmaking along with printmaking supplies including blocks for carving, inks, rollers, and more advanced tools such as presses for use in screen printing.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taken with picplz.

Nature by Dori in our mixed media painting class.  The concept of mixed media has been utilized for hundreds of years. There are two aspects to mixed media. One has to do with advertising and the multiple ways of presenting information. This can be using methods such as radio, television or billboards together. The other has to do with art. This second mixed media, or assemblage, concerns works of art that are put together using different media for a composition such as collage, photography or painting made from whatever the artist chooses to use.

A mixed media collage implies two separate art techniques. First there is the art of collage, which is defined by the free online dictionary as an artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface, often with unifying lines and color. Mixed media adds to the overall concept of working with one or more types of painting in addition to the process of attaching collage elements. Elements can include photographs, colored paper, ticket stubs, magazine articles and advertisements. Even with all this visual information, a mixed media collage can still effectively convey a strong image and message.

A real fun, and obvious, form of mixed media art is assemblage. Assemblage is a form of art that is three dimensional and composed of putting together objects that are found. Assemblage really takes mixed media art to a new level. Instead of using the traditional mixed media objects, it branches out to include anything that an artist uses to create their piece of art. It can range from common, everyday items to unusual things that you wonder where the artist even managed to find them. This form of mixed media art is fun for anyone to try, from young to old, you yourself or with a group.

In a world today where "going green" and recycling is highly promoted, and even encouraged and taught in the schools, using items in art that no longer can be used in a traditional manner has become very popular. It is another form of recycling. Some artists have become very popular and talented in this field of art. Regardless of your preference of artistic styles, it is not unusual for there to be a mix of different media. Check out the mixed media art the next time you are in an art gallery, some will be obvious, but look closely at the different canvases, some will unexpectedly be mixed media art.

Even though the term multimedia art is applied to mixed media it is not the same. Multimedia art incorporates the use of differing areas like music, dance or interactions with the person viewing the display. Mixed media provides the artist with diversity both with the use of material and with what is represented by the work. The visitor to the gallery or museum can interact with an installation or simply view. Mixed media art using fiber combines fiber along with paint, dye, thread and ink among the media. The United Nations has declared 2009 the year of natural fiber, encouraging the use of fiber in art.

Do you want to enroll yourself in painting classes Los Angeles? Have you been secretly having the very idea of learning how to paint? If you love the artistry of painting and wish you could learn to paint well, then you’re well on your way. The first step of any venture begins with having the passion to do something. The next step is to act on that desire. If you really like to learn about painting, there are individuals who are willing to help you to achieve your dream. Can be as easy to do is a bit of research by using the internet as your guide.  Find an art school or perhaps college art class near your home. Painting classes in Los Angeles has to be inexpensive.  Begin shopping around for the finest establishment which fits your budget.  In the meantime, here are a few types of painting classes that you might be interested in.

Watercolor painting is an excellent way for beginner artists to start in the realm of painting. You don’t need too much equipment and also watercolor paints are generally a lot less expensive than oils. The process of making a watercolor painting also is relatively quick, which is part of the appeal for new artists who want to see outcomes quickly. While painting with watercolors is pretty easy, there are several guidelines to keep in mind which will help your artwork stand out. Make a few test paintings just before to work on something much more substantial. Watercolor paint is extremely finicky and it takes a while to find out how to get your desired color intensity. Practice holding the brush in different ways and manipulating it to get different brush strokes. When you think you have the hang of it you may want to try your very first official painting.

Oil pastels are actually art tools that look like crayons, but they’re oil-based instead of wax-based. They permit you to blend colors more freely, but they also do not dry or fix entirely to paper; so they can be more hard to protect. Nevertheless, you can make use of pastels to make very colorful artwork. All you need to do is understand the techniques. Take an oil pastel drawing course in your art school or local community university. These types of courses can provide you with the most complete instruction on oil pastel method. The courses must teach you mixing and scraping techniques at least. Once you learn exactly how to work with oil pastels, you can practice every technique on your own.

Portrait painting is a struggle for any artist, especially a beginning artist. When learning how to do portraits, an artist must train himself to paint what exactly he sees and to do that by looking at his subject objectively. The best way to learn how to paint a portrait is by painting a portrait, then painting another and another until you turn into a skilled portrait artist.

Now that you’ve been informed in three types of painting classes Los Angeles, it’s up to you to decide which type of painting classes you believe will interest you.  Don’t forget, you are not limited to three Los Angeles painting classes stated above; you can actually select various other painting classes.

Do you want to enroll yourself in painting classes Los Angeles? Have you been secretly harboring the idea of learning how to paint? If you enjoy the artistry of painting and wish that you could learn how to paint well, then you are well on your way. The first step of any venture starts with having the desire to do something. The next step is to act on that desire. If you really want to learn about painting, there are people who are ready and willing to help you fulfill your dream. All you have to do is a little research by using the internet as your guide.  Find an art school or college art class in your local area. Paint classes Los Angeles should be inexpensive.  Start shopping around for the best establishment that fits your budget.  In the meantime, listed below are different types of painting classes that you might be interested in.

Watercolor painting is a great way for amateur artists to get started in the world of painting. You don't need an excessive amount of equipment and watercolor paints are generally a lot less expensive than oils. The process of making a watercolor painting can also is relatively quick, which is part of the appeal for new artists who want to see results quickly. While painting with watercolors is relatively easy, there are some guidelines to keep in mind that will help your artwork come to life. Make a few test paintings before getting to work on something more substantial. Watercolor paint is very finicky and it takes a while to figure out how to get your desired color intensity. Practice holding the brush in different ways and manipulating it to get different brush strokes. When you think you have the hang of it you may want to try your first official painting.

Oil pastels are art tools that look like crayons, but they are oil-based instead of wax-based. They allow you to blend colors more freely, but they also don't dry or fix completely to paper; so they can be more difficult to protect. Even so, you can use pastels to make very colorful art. All you need to do is learn the techniques. Take an oil pastel drawing course through your art school or local community college. These courses can give you the most complete instruction on oil pastel technique. The courses should teach you blending and scraping techniques at least. Once you know how to work with oil pastels, you can practice each technique on your own.

Portrait painting is a difficult task for any artist, especially a beginning artist. When learning how to do portraits, an artist must train himself to paint exactly what he sees and to do that by looking at his subject objectively. The best way to learn to how to paint a portrait is by painting a portrait, then painting another and another until you become a skilled portrait artist.

Now, that you’ve been educated in three different types of painting classes Los Angeles.  It is up to decide, which type of painting classes you feel will interest you.  Remember, you are not limited to three classes stated above you can select other painting class.

Lindsay created this beautiful work in our printmaking class.  Monotype prints are made by painting on nonporous surfaces such as glass, plexiglass or copper. Monotype prints, once made, need to be transferred to another surface immediately and can, for the most part, only be used to make one print. When there is ink left over, a second print, called a "ghost print," can sometimes be made, though it will be a lesser quality print. Monotyping is usually done with monotype ink, but many artists experiment using different paints, including oil pastels, and transferring to various surfaces.

Things you’ll need to make a monotype: Plexiglass or glass plate, Oil pastels, Paintbrushes, Rolling pin, Tape, Watercolor pencils, Paper. The following is the detailed steps on monotyping: 1) Find a glass or plexiglass work plate. Glass from a picture frame will work. This will be the surface where you create your image. Place the piece of paper where you will be transferring your image on top of the glass plate and mark the edges of it as a guide. 2) Place your reference photo beneath the glass plate. This could be a picture from a coloring book or a real photograph. Use watercolor pencils to outline your picture. 3) Paint your outlined drawing with oil pastels applied directly to the glass plate. Apply the oil pastels smoothly and be sure to flatten them out. You don't want any overrun when you roll your print. 4) Dampen your paper with a spray bottle of water and apply the paper to your painting plate, lining the edges up with the markings you previously made. Use clear tape to ensure the paper doesn't slide around. 5) Press your rolling pin at the center of the paper and begin rolling up and down. Do this several times to ensure your paper picks up the oil pastels. Allow the paper to sit for five minutes, then slowly peel it off your plate to reveal your monotype print.

A monotype is unique, a one-of-a-kind print. While there are a variety of ways to approach this technique, it is done using a blank piece of Plexiglas, and water-soluble oil-based paints to create the image on the Plexiglas. The image is printed onto damp paper on an etching press. Key to this method is that the print must be made while the paint is still wet.

Monoprints and monotypes are very similar. Both involve the transfer of ink from a plate to the paper, canvas, or other surface that will ultimately hold the work of art. In the case of monotypes, the plate is a featureless plate. It contains no features that will impart any definition to successive prints. The most common feature would be the etched or engraved line on a metal plate. In the absence of any permanent features on the surface of the plate, all articulation of imagery is dependent on one unique inking, resulting in one unique print.

Monoprints, on the other hand, are the results of plates that have permanent features on them. Monoprints can be thought of as variations on a theme, with the theme resulting from some permanent features being found on the plate—lines, textures—that persist from print to print. Variations are confined to those resulting from how the plate is inked prior to each print. The variations are endless, but certain permanent features on the plate will tend to persist from one print to the next.

Teaching kindergarten art lessons can be fun, simple and very, very messy.  We all know that children love to get their fingers dirty which, is why art is one of their favorite subjects. For this reason you the teacher should be always prepared for the unexpected. Make sure you sharpen your sense of smell, your hearing and your eyes in the back of your head.  So, let’s get started!

Listed below are the 7 basic tips that will help you on your first day in art class.

It is a great idea to take note of your cleaning supplies in your classroom.  Read the direction of each bottle to help you in case there is a spill or a big mess.  If you feel that you need more cleaning supplies then go to your local grocery store and buy the supplies you need.

As mentioned early children love to make a mess, it would be best to have plastic bags or drop cloth to protect the furniture.  If you are teaching your pupils a lesson on coloring then no need to protect the furniture. But you might want to reconsider if you are planning an art project on watercolor paint, acrylic paint and oil paint.

It will save you more time if you prepare each pupil’s art material than having them get it one by one.  If you allow your pupils to get their own art supplies you will create a ruckus.  Also, always remember to prepare extra art materials just in case.

When teaching an art project to your kindergarten pupils it is always a good idea to show examples for your pupils to follow.  Or you can hang your art material on the board so your pupils will have an inspiration.

It is important not to forget other work areas, such as an area for art projects to dry. If you art project involves water make sure you have several cloths on the floor while your pupil’s art is drying.  The last thing you need is a child to slip and get hurt because the floor was slippery.

Teach your pupils to clean after themselves. They should be responsible to clean their desk, paintbrushes and other art materials.  If they miss a spot you can clean it.

Now that you know how to prepare for art lessons you can apply it on the first day of school.  Remember you are the teacher and your pupils will follow your instructions.  So, do your best to make all art projects fun, simple and easy.  It is especially important that you make clean up fun. For example think of a song that your pupils enjoy and have them sing while cleaning.  Good Luck!