Printmaking Essentials Adult Art Class | Art School of SF Bay

Professional-grade art education, à la carte

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Printmaking Essentials

Adult Art Workshop

Levels:

All levels

$615

10 in-person classes, 20 hours

Art materials are provided and included in price

Discover the art of printmaking with this hands-on program! From one-of-a-kind artworks to handmade cards, you'll explore five exciting techniques: monotype, gelli plate printing, stencil, collagraph, and linocut. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this series will give you the skills to make beautiful and unique prints every time.

This printmaking class will teach you:

Various printmaking techniques
Creating designs that clearly express your ideas
Working with limited color palettes and shapes
Exploring graphic language—a stylized, semi-abstract form of expression that differs from realism

This is a beginner-friendly class!

All courses are offered at all studios, every 2-4 months. If you do not see a session scheduled in a studio near you, please put yourself on the waiting list for the course and location you are interested in. You will receive a notification the moment the course is added to the system.

Upcoming Sessions:

No Classes September 5th (Saturday) - 7th (Monday) - Labor Day weekend
No Class October 31st, 2026 (Saturday) - Halloween
No Classes November 23rd (Monday) - 29th (Sunday) - Thanksgiving Break

San Francisco

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Online

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Mountain View

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San Rafael

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San Jose

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Frequently asked questions about adult classes:

I am going to miss 1-2 classes. How do I make them up? Almost every student misses classes now and then. To arrange a make up, please email your studio up to 5 days in advance, we do not allow drop ins. - We offer up to 3 make ups per course/semester (1 make up for short 5-6 weeks courses) - Make ups are not guaranteed, but we will try our best. - No make ups can be scheduled after missed class. - A make up can not be rescheduled. Do I need to purchase materials? We provide the materials for the in-studio classes, there is no need to bring anything. However, it might be a good idea to purchase some art materials for practice at home. Online students neeed to purchase materials for their classes.

Refund Policy:

We are not offering refunds for new purchases. However, full credit towards future bookings or transfer to another camp/class will be offered for any cancellations made up to 24 hrs before the camp or class start.

Detailed curriculum:

Learn Printmaking, Printmaking Classes for Beginners. Fine Art Print Making. Blockprint, Woodcut, Monotype printmaking Mountain View, San Francisco

Day 1: Intro & Monotype

Monotype is a unique print, typically painterly in effect, made by applying paint or printing ink to a flat sheet of metal, glass, or plastic. This introductory class covers the fundamentals of printmaking, including the differences between printmaking and drawing/painting, tools, materials, and essential principles. You'll dive into the monotype technique, creating artwork and exploring different lines, textures, and masks.

Day 2: Gelli Plate Printing

Gelli Plate Printing is a versatile technique perfect for experimenting with colors, shapes, and textures. It uses a gelatin plate to press onto fabric or paper. This class teaches you to limit colors and shapes to create visually striking prints. You'll explore using masks in printmaking, working with various materials and objects to produce multiple copies with different effects. The focus will be on creating effective color palettes based on color theory.

Linocut printmaking workshop, Stencil workshop San Francisco

Days 3 & 4: Stencil.

Days 3 & 4: Stencil
Stenciling is a method for replicating designs by applying ink or paint over cut-out holes in cardboard or metal onto the surface.
Stenciling is an excellent way to study composition and tonal values. You'll work with exacto knives to cut out stencils, learn how to combine shapes and lines effectively, and use stencils as masks. With a minimal color palette—just one or two colors—you'll focus on creating objects with crisp or soft edges and mastering abstract composition principles.

Hand carving, Linocutting, Linocut printing workshop in San Francisco

Days 5 & 6: Collagraphy

Collagraphy is a printmaking process in which materials of various textures are glued or sealed to a rigid substrate (such as paperboard or wood) to create a plate. Explore the use of textures to represent both physical objects and abstract concepts. You'll learn how to select and arrange textures so your artwork looks harmonious and complete. The focus will be on finding the right textures for your project, cutting the main shapes, and organizing effective layouts with attention to tonal values.

Illustration, Silk screen, Linocut workshop, printmaking for beginners

Days 7 & 8: Linocut

Linocut is a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum is used for a relief surface. It highlights fine details and the overlaying of colors.
In these classes, you'll learn to carve plates for different colors within the same composition, mastering the art of color overlay, inversion, and fine detail work. The emphasis will be on selecting the best palette and composition for your project, focusing on how to layer colors and shapes successfully.

Testimonials:

Heather Z

I took the printmaking class at the San Francisco location. I loved the class. The techer was great, she gave the perfect amount of help when needed while also allowing me all the space to be creative. I'll definitely use the skills I learned in class.

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