2-Day Hands on Slip Decorated Surface and Image Transfer Workshop with Chris Snedden, May 7th and 8th, 10 am to 3 pm.

Workshop Overview

Day 1:

· Start by throwing a couple of pieces and decorating in the wet state to create a background to work on later. We will go over the more traditional slip decorating techniques so that everyone will start with somewhat the same background.

◦ Subjects covered: Expanded slip. Creating a solid ground of colour, brushwork, finger painting with slip. Scrafitto, Mishima, Hakeme, various layered slip techniques, Wet ground work including marbeling, feathering, and mocha diffusion.

· the mono printing process: using a random image drawn from a newspaper, trace the picture and back paint it to add colour to the composition. Have everyone try making a smaller flat tile piece. This will familiarize everyone with the transfer process and help the participants gain a sensitivity to when to remove the covering paper from the monoprint, avoid air bubbles that disrupt the image, and how to fix them if they do occur.

· a good time to introduce the use of formal elements and principles of design and how they can be used to improve composition on one's pieces and create interest in the work.

Day Two:

· creating repeat prints using rubber stamps, or “block printing” with slip. We will go over tips and tricks to make your prints viable for the transfer process and how to tell if the slip is the correct consistency to “daub” onto the printing block. We will practice this process to make sure everyone has it under their belt, and use some maybe on the flat piece that we created the day before.

· an explanation and demonstration of how to make silk screens. How, using Photoshop, to convert images to the high contrast black and white necessary to make the transparencies used to “burn” the photo silk screens. Note: Everyone will receive handouts and product lists so they know what products to use for this process. I will describe how to coat the silk screen with the photo sensitive emulsion and “burn” a screen, washing out the soft bits to create the screen. While that screen dries we will use some prints from the “morgue” of prints I will bring with me.

Also, bring your own tools.

We are also having an exhibition of Chris's work in the Pottery and a reception to meet Chris on Friday May 9th, bring your friends to meet Chris. Food and drinks will be served.

Workshop Dates & Times