What to Expect
Printmaking students learn the complex process of etching a picture on
a metal or wooden "plate," then using that plate to make prints of the work.
"Printmaking just spoke to me. I enjoyed the balance of the technical
and creative aspects of the media," says Chris Johnson. He has an undergraduate
degree in printmaking from Bradley University.
He enjoys the idea of "creating a piece of fine art, but having the technical
discipline to print an edition of 25 prints."
He also enjoys the diversity. "There's just so many different and diverse
styles of printmaking available, from intaglio, lithography, silk screening
and monotyping, just to name a few. There's just no limit to printmaking."
In the final semester of his bachelor's degree, Johnson took 16 hours a
week of classes. He took courses in printmaking, drawing and painting.
He also took a seminar class, where he learned about applying for grants,
applying for shows and other professional skills.
"I usually spent as much time in the studio as I could outside of class,"
Johnson says. "But it never felt like homework, just because I am so passionate
about creating my artwork that it's all I want to do."
Mary Robinson took the master's of fine arts program at Indiana University
at Bloomington. She decided to pursue printmaking to learn about new media
and to learn about new ways of combining art, such as painting and photography.
Throughout graduate school, Robinson took three to four classes per semester.
"My 'homework' [was] to make art, and I spend as many hours a day that I can,"
Robinson says. Her other school-related activities included visiting art
galleries and museums and reading books and articles of interest to her.
How to Prepare
Take as many art courses as you can, says Johnson. He also suggests
doing artwork for clubs, the school newspaper or events such as the school
play.
"I created comic books and just drew pictures on my own time while in high
school," Johnson says. "In other words, just keep practicing and working
on your skills, because it can only work to your advantage down the road."
Students can also visit museums and take classes in literature, math,
music and science to prepare themselves for university art studies, says
Robinson.
"I would also suggest studying a foreign language and spending a year in
another country," she says.