Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC) – Printmaking I

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Woodblock printmaking is considered to be the most ancient printing method, because the oldest woodblock print dates back to the book of Diamond Sutra in 868. In the first section of this course, students will gain historical insights into the condition of Dunhuang, a city in the desert in Northwest China in the ninth century which instigated the necessity of printing sutras and subsequently gave birth to various printed Buddhist books (including the Diamond Sutra). Students will then dive into numerous demonstrations of both carving and printing techniques, including the traditional oil-based method in the West as well as the non-toxic Asian Woodblock Printmaking most celebrated with the Japanese Ukiyo-e. We will investigate the choices of blocks, papers, and print presentation methods, and students will maintain a weekly journal which documents their development and challenge. The second half of the course will be devoted to individual projects, and students will contemplate their priorities in printmaking. Whether they favor technical or conceptual innovations, students will be offered individual guidance, and numerous authors and artists will be recommended to assist students to progress. Students will finish the course with a well-rounded understanding on historical and contemporary printmaking. For the final project, collaborations among students will be not only honored but also encouraged. (No prior printmaking experience is required.)