Printmaking is definitely a medium that i've taken an interest in the past few months, I tried it out and instantly it appealed to me and my work. So I was a little sad that this was the only speaker in the week that was a printmaker!
Anyway, Ann spoke to us about her experiences at college, how she developed her printmaking technique into something unique and what it's like being a freelancer.
I was worried at first that this talk would lean more towards a fine art approach but once Ann had described this process, I instantly realised i'd gone to the right talk.
Ann briefly described her work process, that is based around monoprinting. Although it was hard to understand, not being able to see it, it's a stencil, monoprint technique where Ann experiments with cutting out the shapes and rubbing, wiping and layering in order to build up an image. This is what I particularly liked about Ann, she had gone through print and then adapted it to how she wanted to work, she hadn't just taken a traditional print technique and settled for the outcome but instead experimented and pushed the technique to become something that was unique and meant that she could create a more interesting style of work.
Since i've discovered working in print, i've tried out different methods in order to then take my favourite bits of them to use for different projects instead of specialising in one technique alone. I've found some that don't work well and others that I love to work in, and so Anns technique is something that is very good to see. Someone who has tried to push the boundaries of the print process by taking it further than the traditional methods. Printmaking isn't necessarily such a popular medium in this fast and digital time, and so I personally think that it's particularly important to refresh printmaking and make good use of its unique qualities.
I asked Ann whether she felt restricted in the media, something that I sometimes worry about, particularly after completing an editorial brief and questioning if such a long process of print would work in the quick natured industry. She explained that although you work in print, you need to find a method that can be adapted; something that I think i've already thought about. For example, Ann also has a method that combines illustrations with print should she need to work to a close deadline. I also think that when you build up experience in the chosen technique, you'll learn ways to work quickly whilst still producing a quality piece of work.
Although Ann did say that she wouldn't necessarily class herself as an illustrator, she uses printmaking for imagery not just to create patterns (which is what you mostly find in fine art methods etc) and so I can apply some of the things that she said into the way that I personally work. I want to continue to experiment in print, look into linocut in more detail and try out afew techniques such as reduction and multi block. I think thats one of the things that draws me to print, the fact that there's so many forms of it and new things that you can try.
Ann also gave us some advice: Get straight into work when you graduate, don't take the summer off! Give yourself time to experiment, things will go wrong and find new things, particularly for printmakers. You should constantly evaluate your work, be versatile, let the idea and process take you on a journey. Always keep a sketchbook, always look for work, use New Designers as a launch into the industry, and finally budget!!
Lots of things to think about! Overall it was a very useful lecture that has definitely got me thinking about the way that I work and how i'll work in printmaking in the future.
www.ann-bridges.com/
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