Long-Distance Letterpress: Uncommon Color

Why you should take this class

From the first time we take hold of a box of crayons, we are taught that trees are green and the sky is blue. Sometimes it’s difficult to get those default colors out of our heads. Creative, intuitive inking techniques can help us print vibrant, inspiring work that showcases the visual diversity around us. Michael Hepher of Clawhammer Press will be your guide as you wander off the normal path and step out of your comfort zone with unique color combinations, layers, and split-fountains that will help you develop your own sense of style and place. Michael will use his decades of experience as a designer, painter, and printer to teach you how to mix ink to capture emotion and create unique works of art that still feel “right.”

What you’ll learn

This edition of Long-Distance Letterpress will examine ways of using color to create depth, emotion, and find a unique voice for each print. We will tackle a practical approach to intuitive ink mixing, making agile adjustments along the way, and stepping outside the realm of “normal” with our color selections. We’ll cover:

• Fundamentals of color theory
• Mixing ink without a scale or percentage guide
• How to predict how colors will layer, and how to adjust to surprises
• The use of gradients (split fountains, rainbow rolls) for depth and interest
• Planning color for reduction cut illustration or multi-layer compositions
• On-the-fly troubleshooting for multi-layered prints

Prerequisites

This workshop consists of a demonstration and interactive Q&A, with no advance preparation or supplies necessary to participate. A knowledge of basic color theory is an asset but not a requirement.

Who should take this class?

Letterpress printers, printmakers, designers and artists looking to step outside their usual color palettes.

Will this class be recorded?

All of PiP’s online classes are live and unrecorded — we find it’s a lot more fun and interactive this way. They are closed captioned using Zoom’s Live Transcription feature; to make the most of this tool, update to the most recent version of Zoom.

Visit our FAQ page to learn more about PiP’s class policies.