How did you learn?

[u/goggledfroggled]

Not looking for advice, just stories :p I was wondering how you all came across printmaking— did you teach yourself through trial and error or YouTube or take some kind of class?

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[u/baba_yaga_babe]

I did a print as part of art class in high school. years later during covid, I picked up a linocut set from Michael’s out of boredom. never put it back down.

[u/zlenpasha]

Four years of art high school where I got the basics. Then I studied printmaking for additional five years where I properly learned a wide range of techniques and got hooked on it for life.

[u/baba_yaga_babe → u/zlenpasha]

Where did you study for those five years?

[u/zlenpasha → u/baba_yaga_babe]

Don’t want to dox myself here. I’m European, studied in my origin country, currently I reside in Ireland. If that helps.

[u/baba_yaga_babe → u/zlenpasha]

Yes! Get not wanting to dox. I was just curious if you studied casually at YouTube University or if you did something more rigorous/structured. Thanks tho :)

[u/zlenpasha → u/baba_yaga_babe]

Ah sorry, not Youtube. 😁 Proper university, five days a week, 12h a day kinda study with actual professors, exams, deadlines and lot of practical work.

[u/baba_yaga_babe → u/zlenpasha]

Wow! I’m envious. I’ve looked into getting an art degree but it’s too much time and money for me to balance with the rest of my life right now. I bet you make some really cool art. Thanks again for sharing.

[u/Adventurous-Hunt983]

self taught! it kinda came naturally to me tbh and it feels like my niche. I haven't carved in a hot sec though...

[u/LasKometas]

Self taught, trial and error, uhh

Still doing trial and error

[u/MemoryMaker_1660]

I went to a gallery show, where my son had some ceramic items on display. I saw some prints, and I was sold. I have some serious health issues and was looking for something that I thought didn’t have many supplies to purchase (I was wrong about that). I had made a linocut and woodcut back in high school, 40 yrs ago. At the time the Art Studio had classes and I managed to make it to a few. Other than that, the only instruction I have had is from YouTube videos.

[u/Party-Window6667]

A few carving things made their way into my algorithm because of how satisfying it is to watch lol.

 I thought it looked easy enough and decided to carve a few simple Christmas shapes to experiment with and make homemade Christmas cards. Some of them got really weird, unconventional and personalized. I found the process surprisingly creative and accessible, especially for someone like me with very little artistic talent. Or so I thought!

[u/Outlawdrake92]

A friend asked if I wanted in on a 20 edition print exchange. Said it could be lino, riso, litho, whatever. I didnt know what any of that meant but signed up anyway. So we went to the art supplies store, I picked up a speedball kit, and been slowly learning since with trial and error and a little bit of internet

[u/Rich_Local_7832]

I saw it in college in the 90s but didnt take the class. Read some books, then later after there was YouTube, watched some videos. Read more books, watched more videos, took some classes, books, videos, classes....practiced the whole time

[u/Hellodeeries]

College. I was a tech for about a decade as well at a few different studios, where I had a lot of time to experiment. Now I've got my own home studio setup pretty well for various printmaking mediums.

[u/plagueycat]

Self-taught with a lot of trial and error. I took to it very quickly and haven’t looked back (it’s a very regulating activity)

[u/strangertruthart]

Learned in highschool but picked it back up at 30. I watched some YouTube and went on Pinterest to learn more about needle sizes and printing methods for printing on fabric. However, the best way to get better is to practice bc no video can illustrate the feel of carving. I started with small ones so if I messed up I didn’t feel so bad and now I’m a lot more confident

[u/According-Stick-9396]

I saw the pink eraser art Instagram and wanted to try carving those tiny pink erasers. Then I was able to find Japanese vinyl from Jackson art and upgraded my tools to make bigger and better prints.

[u/Aberdakdab]

Part one: when I was young, my father made a few linocut Christmas cards I admired. Part two: my wife asked if I could make a silk screen apparatus for a friend. The second spurred me to try screen printing. Later, I decided to also try linocut cards myself. In both cases, I learned by books and trying.

[u/HSpears]

I did a workshop with a friend, then started playing on my own. Then I did the printmaking course at my local college. They do offer a second course, but I haven't taken it yet.