Relief Printmaking

Adult Class | Available

All levels welcome.
1/5/2026-3/16/2026
6:30 PM-9:30 PM EST on Mon
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$275.00
$250.00
$50.00

Relief Printmaking

Adult Class | Available

This course will provide an introduction to relief printmaking. Fundamental relief techniques will introduce you to the tools and methods needed to allow you to carve and print from your own relief woodblocks. You can choose wood, linoleum, or plastic (easy carve) blocks. We will explore carving techniques to obtain a range of textures, depth and contrast to create strong visual statements in your artwork. We will practice printing by hand and with a press. We will examine the conventional and contemporary practice of these techniques.

What you will learn:
1. To identify the expressive nature of the relief medium.
2. To translate an image from the original drawing medium to relief.
3. To carve relief safely using different techniques of mark making.
4. To print your blocks by hand and by press
5. To know the concerns for choosing a block material and paper.
6. To gain an understanding of the role of relief printmaking in historical and contemporary contexts.

Please note: Class will not meet on Monday, January 19 and Monday, February 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents' Days. 

  • 1. Sketchbook. For your own thinking process. A sketchbook you already use is great.

    2. Newsprint for proofing. 18x24” pad. Rough. This is an important tool. You will use it to print proofs before you make final prints; to cushion the press; to contain messes; and to carry your prints. The later can be achieved by using binder clips to hold the pad shut on all sides.

    3. Drawing materials (pencils, pens, markers). For sketching and drawing on your block. Conté crayon or colored pastel (optional) to create your own transfer paper at home.

    4. Carving tools, specific to relief printmaking. This is an inexpensive set with a lot of shapes: https://www.dickblick.com/products/yasutomo-niji-woodcarving-set/ I also like: https://www.dickblick.com/products/flexcut-beginners-palm-set/

    5. Relief block. Choose one or more type, according to your curiosity.
    • Wood. Wood is more challenging to carve, but it has the most character and holds the most detail. Recommended: Shina Plywood, a higher grade plywood from McClain’s. You can also get cabinet grade birch plywood from a home store. Unless you are an experience woodcut artist, avoid hardwoods for now.
    • Linoleum. This is softer and easier to carve. This material comes both mounted and unmounted. I have found that both work very well. The mounted is more dimensionally stable and as such allows for greater precision in printing, if that is a concern.
    • Plastic. Plastic blocks are the easiest to carve but may not hold as much detail. See this, https://www.dickblick.com/products/richeson-easy-to-cut-linoleum/. (It is “linoleum” in name only.) Speedball Speedy Carve also works. Soft-kut has some chemical reactivity and does not print well in a press; not recommended.

    6. Relief inks. We provides oil-based black and some color inks. You may optionally like to have your own or supplement with your own colors. Choose only one type of ink. Oil based relief ink is recommended. You may also choose water-washable oil-based relief ink or water-based (acrylic) relief ink. Note: even with oil-based inks, we practice low and non-toxic cleaning methods.

    7. Printing papers. Many papers will work. Generally, thin and flexible papers work best. I recommend Rives Lightweight and/or rice paper. This is a good value rice paper.

    8. Non-slip “shelf-liner” or bench hook (we do supply some bench hooks, but you might like your own to work at home)

    9. Apron (some shared aprons are available)

    10. Case for carrying supplies

    11. Portfolio (recommended) or tube for carrying paper

    12. Barren for hand printing (we do supply them, but you may want your own)

    13. Tracing paper. Needed if need to trace an image from a printout or drawing and then abstract it. Optional.

    14. Snap Off Utility Knife, 18mm.

    15. Registration block, optional. If you will be using multiple colors and need to register, you will need an extra piece of board the same thickness as your block, and large enough to surround your printing paper. Consult with me on the construction of this.

Albert Fung

Albert Fung was born and raised in San Francisco. He earned his BFA in printmaking from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1992 and his MFA in painting and printmaking from Massachusetts College of Art in 1996. He paints in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pastels; often in combination. He also makes prints in relief, intaglio, lithography, and ink jet. From 1993 to 2011, he made and exhibited his art in New York City. In addition, he printed limited edition lithographs and later digital photographs and editions for artists; later, he worked as an IT Director.

In 2003, he began practicing yoga, which through to today informs his spiritual and healing journey. In 2015 he gained his yoga teaching certification from Motherheart Yoga Sangha; and he has now taught yoga for over ten years. Yoga’s attitude of care and seeking has been a significant influence on his art teaching. In 2011, he moved to Philadelphia, where he continues to produce artwork.

He has exhibited widely, including at City Arts Salon; and he has taught at several art centers, including Fleisher, and universities, including Tyler School of Art, in the Philadelphia area. He is currently a Co Founder and Co-coordinator of Philly Crit; and he is a member of the Art Advisory Committee of In Liquid.

His work may be seen at alfung.com