Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: VART6508C
Course Title: Investigate printmaking materials and processes
Important Information:
Please note that this course has compulsory in-person attendance requirements for teaching activities.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5414 - Diploma of Visual Arts
Course Contact: Robi Enders-Smith
Course Contact Phone: +61
Course Contact Email: robina.smith2@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 90
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
In this course you will explore the diverse application of printmaking to communicate ideas. This will include developing printmaking skills and confidence to proactively experiment with various printmaking techniques and ideas to develop an individual style or voice.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAPRI512 Investigate printmaking materials and processes |
Element: |
1. Research printmaking materials and processes |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Investigate ways that other artists have used different printmaking materials and processes 1.2 Research physical properties and capabilities of a range of printmaking materials 1.3 Evaluate how different technical effects are achieved through the combination of different materials and print techniques 1.4 Investigate safety issues associated with different materials and processes 1.5 Collate and store safety and technical data to meet safety requirements for use 1.6 Determine cost and supply issues for different materials |
Element: |
2. Select printmaking materials and processes for exploration |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Discuss characteristics and opportunities of particular printmaking materials and processes with required personnel 2.2 Evaluate creative and professional opportunities offered by different printmaking materials and processes 2.3 Identify and assess limitations and constraints of particular materials and processes 2.4 Select a particular range of materials and processes that suit own practice |
Element: |
3. Integrate printmaking materials and processes into own work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Explore own new and different ways of working with materials and processes 3.2 Assess effects of different materials and processes through experimentation with samples, practice pieces or works in progress 3.3 Proactively identify and resolve technical problems with material use 3.4 Develop own ways of working with materials and processes to create individual style 3.5 Develop a coherent body of printmaking work that shows command of selected printmaking materials 3.6 Use safe work practices for handling materials and disposal of waste |
Element: |
4. Manage printmaking materials |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Establish supply of printmaking materials which meets price, quality and delivery expectations 4.2 Develop ways of working with materials that minimise waste 4.3 Maintain quality and maximise shelf-life of printmaking materials through appropriate handling and storage |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- practical demonstrations in studio
- online discussion and participation
- analysis/critique of relevant reading material
- seminars/workshops
- design activities or projects
- group projects
- peer learning
- guest lecture/presentation
- class presentations
- group discussion
- research
- independent project-based work
- group activities/projects
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
- visits to galleries and events
- practical placement
- simulated workplace activities.
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1 2025WeekTopicAssessment / Learning activities
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Week 1
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Introduction to unit
Powerpoint presentation on historical and contemporary Linocut printmaking
AT1 Monochromatic Linocut |
Overview of semester delivery. Health and Safety induction, Introduction to Conventions and Terminology. Equipment list Introduce AT1: Monochromatic Lino Discuss drawings students need to complete/begin for next class including how to research.
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Week 2
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AT1 Monochromatic Linocut Block preparation Image transfer Discussion of tools and potential mark making
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Look at student work examples Discuss their research, how to resolve drawings and the best outcome from their drawing that would translate successfully to a linocut Upload to template 3 preparatory drawings for your linocut image. Prepare lino block How to transfer image to block Cutting techniques and possible variety of mark making Using a bench block and OH&S issues applicable to the task. |
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Week 3
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AT1 Monochromatic Linocut OH&S considerations Cutting lino design Discuss copyright relevant to producing print works |
Cutting – students working on their block. How to to warm block. Repeat OH&S issues applicable to the task. |
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Week 4
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AT1 Monochromatic Linocut How to tear paper for printing. How to create a registration sheet. Discussion of sustainable practice in relation to materials and consumables. Demonstration of applying ink to block and how to set the press correctly. Demonstration of printing using an etching press Demonstration of correct clean up and materials required including cleaning the brayer, ink slab,tools and block. |
Continue cutting block
Students tear their own paper and make their own registration sheet. How to prepare ink, correct way to get out of tin and use of roller.
Students proof their lino blocks and practice applying ink correctly taking into account too little or too much ink. Students clean tools and materials with sustainable considerations. |
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Week 5
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AT1 Monochromatic Linocut Edition linocut Discussion of signing conventions for editioned work |
Editioning their block. Creating 5 identical prints. Discuss signing edition and articulating edition numbers.
Students engage in correct clean up of materials used to create work including cleaning the brayer, ink slab,tools and block.
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Week 6
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AT1 Monochromatic Linocut Edition lino cut
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Continue editioning their block. Creating 5 identical prints. Students engage in correct clean up of materials used to create work including cleaning the brayer, ink slab,tools and block. Signing conventions |
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Week 7
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AT1: Monochromatic Lino DUE
Introduction to AT2: Unique State printing.
Presentation - discussion on historical and contemporary unique state printmaking Demonstrate safe and correct way to measure and cut lino blocks. Demonstrate applicable registration sheets for the task. |
SUBMIT AT1: Monochromatic Lino
Present examples. Discuss artists to research.
Students cut their blocks.
Students make their own registration sheets.
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Mid Semester break |
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Week 8
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AT2 Unique State Prints Review setting press for lino printing. Demonstrate mixing coloured ink and sustainable practice to maximize shelf life Demonstrate the inking and printing of four consecutive blocks on the one sheet of paper to create a unique state print
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Students begin completing AT2 |
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Week 9
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AT2 Unique State Prints Discussion of signing conventions for unique state prints
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Students continue print unique state prints AT2 Part 2, 2c. Students document prints in progress or trials AT2 Part 4, 4.1 Signing Conventions for unique state prints |
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Week 10
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Discussion of Peer review
Introduction to AT3 - Intaglio Presentation - Powerpoint and discussion on historical and contemporary intaglio printmaking
Demonstrate how to file a copper plate and prepare the plate for ground application.
AT2 Unique State Prints due |
AT2 Part 3, 3a. Students post final images on Peer Review discussion board. Students provide one peer review to another student on the Peer Review discussion board. AT2 Part 3, 3b class discussion on positive and negative aspects of this process of printmaking. AT2 Part 3, 3b Discussion and analysis of possible exhibiting opportunities AT2 Part 4, 4.1 Students documents final images for AT2 (8 images) AT3 Q 3b. Plate preparation for intaglio
Submit AT2 Unique State Prints
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Week 11
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AT3 - Intaglio Discuss with students their research and drawings and the best possible outcome for the project Demonstrate ground application and image transfer Demo how to use etching needles and drawing image into the ground |
AT3 Q3d & 3j Students apply ground on plate and transfer their image onto the plate Students begin drawing on plate Students make notes on processes as introduced in Technical reference book |
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Week 12
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AT3 - Intaglio Demonstrate how to etch a plate using corrosive. Demonstrate OH&S issues applicable to the task. The correct PPE to use. Demonstrate removal of ground & how to prepare the plate for proofing - scrape and burnish edges |
AT3. Q 3i. Students etch their plates. Students remove ground and prepare plate for proofing Students make notes on processes as introduced in Technical reference book |
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Week 13
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AT3 - Intaglio Demonstrate setting press for intaglio, how to ink up and print plate.
Discuss how to create tone via aquatint. Demonstrate Applying aquatint to plates Demonstrate how to etch aquatint including times and blocking out. |
AT3. Q 3a. Students create registration sheet AT3. Q 3c Students ink plate and proof image using etching press AT3 Q3h. & 3g. Students apply aquatint to plate Students make notes on processes as introduced in Technical reference book |
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Week 14
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AT3 - Intaglio Discussion of MSDS (Material Safety and data Sheet) Discussion of the use of a Flammable and Corrosive cabinet in the studio |
Student apply and etch aquatint to plates Registration & Edition intaglio print Students make notes on processes as introduced in Technical reference book |
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Week 15
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AT3 - Intaglio Class discussion on the materials, tools and techniques in Intaglio |
Student apply and etch aquatint to plates Registration & Edition intaglio print Students make notes on processes as introduced in Technical reference book |
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Week 16
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Signing conventions for intaglio edition
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At3 Q1a & 1b Registration & Edition intaglio print AT3 Q1c. Students sign final edition Document final edition of prints
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Week 17
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Swot Vac AT3 - Intaglio DUE |
SUBMIT- AT3 INTAGLIO |
Student support
Your first point of contact for any support needs with your assessments should be your teacher and assessor. If you require further support, you should consider contacting the following support services at RMIT.
Assessment adjustments
Students requiring support or adjustments for their formal assessments task or exams should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS), for more information on the types of adjustments provided, access RMIT adjustments to assessment.
Special consideration
If unexpected circumstances affect your ability to complete an assessment you can apply for special consideration. For more information access RMIT special consideration.
Appeals
As an RMIT student you are entitled to seek a review of decisions that impact on your studies. For more information access RMIT appeals.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each of the 3 assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
You can also find the rubric you will be assessed against in each of the Assessment Tasks on Canvas.
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview