Block Printing Workshop
with printmaking artist Lance Nihei Van Cleve
Saturday, May 11, 2024
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: In-person at the Center
$80 Center Members, $95 General Public
The Center is excited to host printmaker Lance Nihei Van Cleve to share with the community the art of block printing in this hands-on workshop! This introductory workshop to relief printing will present the linoleum block print process from composition and carving techniques to printing multiples in an affordable and accessible way.
Block printing is favored for its ability to produce bold, graphic images with strong contrasts and textures. Artists and designers use block printing to create artworks, illustrations, and designs for posters, greeting cards, wallpapers, and fabric patterns, among other applications. It's accessible to beginners and professionals alike, providing a satisfying, tactile experience with striking visual results. Japanese woodblock printing, known as "ukiyo-e," is a centuries-old technique that originated in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is renowned for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and historical significance in the development of Japanese art. Some of the most well-known pieces of art from Japan include ukiyo-e block prints including iconic works like "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai and Hiroshige's "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō."
For our workshop, we will be learning the technique of lino printing, using hand tools to carve our print designs from linoleum, which is very similar to traditional wood block printing but uses an inexpensive material that is much easier and faster to work with than wood. Ink is then applied to the carved design and paper pressed onto the inked relief to produce a print. The simplicity and directness of lino block printing, combined with the unique results it can produce, make it a beloved technique in both art education and professional practice. Registration includes a kit of block printing tools and supplies for you to continue making your own lino block prints at home.
Workshop Materials:
Registrants will receive a kit containing the following items:
- Linoleum blocks
- Speedball Carving Tool
- Water-soluble ink
- Brayer (Roller)
- Printmaking Paper
This class is limited to 12 participants. No materials or experience is needed. Workshop fee includes all necessary materials and instruction. Workshop suitable for children with a parent/guardian present.
About Instructor Lance Nihei Van Cleve
Lance is a local printmaker based in San Francisco. He graduated from California State University Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis in printmaking: lithography, relief printing, and copperplate intaglio. Lance worked at a San Francisco silk screen studio for ten years as a color technician formulating custom ink colors, matching color ways for clients and creating art for production. He now works for IKEA Communication/Interiors as a visual merchandiser.