This course positions the artist / maker as an explorer of friction and resistance. Instead of traditional, meticulous printmaking or formal life drawing, you’ll learn to treat every layer as a means of discovery. By combining “low-tech” monoprinting with destructive drawing techniques, you’ll uncover your innate preferences for line weight, density, and contrast.
The Alchemical Mark (Printmaking & Drawing)
- Focus: Overcoming the fear of the blank page and finding organic textures using recycled items and “blind” drawing.
- What you’ll do: Use unexpected tools (like credit cards, sticks, and recycled trash) to make raw drawings and simple prints. You’ll learn to love unpredictable textures and discover your natural drawing style by doing things like drawing completely blind.
- Duration: 4 weeks (3 hours per week)
- Cost: includes specialized inks, plates, and archival paper
Weekly Breakdown:
- Week 1: The Blind Monoprint Monologue
Roll a thin layer of water-based ink onto a plate, place paper over it, and draw on the back completely blind using various tools (sticks, old credit cards, fingernails). This exercise bypasses the logical brain to reveal a student’s natural kinetic mark-making style. - Week 2: Resist & Erase (The Subtractive Canvas)
Coating a surface entirely in charcoal, graphite, or ink, and using unconventional erasers, sandpaper, or masking fluids to “carve” the image back out. - Week 3: Collagraphy from the Recycle Bin
Building quick, intuitive printing plates using textured trash (corrugated cardboard, mesh fruit bags, torn string). Printing these plates forces you to embrace raw, unrefined shapes and erratic textures that cannot be perfectly replicated. - Week 4: Tear up your prints from the past weeks and collage them back together to identify yousr visual style.
Finding Your Style Focus
The Style Compass: Keep a “Deconstruction Journal” where you deliberately tear up your prints, swap fragments with other works, and collage them back together. By looking at what elements you choose to rescue from a “ruined” piece, you identify your personal core aesthetic anchors (e.g., high-contrast geometric vs. soft, organic chaos).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m not a "professional" artist. Can I still take these courses?
Absolutely. These courses are not about technical accuracy or “perfect” art. They are designed to help you bypass your inner critic, unlearn rigid habits, and reconnect with the joy of making. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist feeling stuck in a creative rut, these courses provide the prompts and tools to help you find your own authentic visual language.
Are these courses focused on specific techniques?
Our focus is on process over product. While we explore printmaking, large-scale painting, and mark-making, the goal is to use these as vehicles for creative liberation. We prioritize experimentation, sensory memory, and “cognitive circuit-breaking” to help you move past perfectionism.
How are the courses delivered?
We offer two main ways to learn:
- In-Studio (Somerset West, Cape Town): A fully immersive, in-person masterclass where all professional-grade materials are provided.
- Remote Learning: Interactive guidance tailored to your specific creative goals, which you can complete from anywhere in the world using your own materials.
Are materials included in the price?
That depends on how you choose to join us:
- In-Person: Yes, all heavy mediums, large-scale substrates, and custom blending tools are provided.
- Remote: Materials are not included. You will receive a curated supply list to source your own tools, allowing you to work with your own preferred medium and budget.
How does the Remote Learning option work?
Our remote sessions provide the same rigorous prompt structures and style-tracking frameworks as our in-person courses. You will receive professional guidance and feedback tailored to your individual creative goals, with the added flexibility of working within your own studio space.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
Cancellations are eligible for a full refund.
Can I schedule a session at a time that works for me?
We offer custom scheduling for both our in-person and remote sessions to ensure you get the one-on-one attention and guidance you need. Please contact us directly after booking to finalize your session dates.
Do you offer private or group sessions for organizations?
Still have questions? I’m happy to help! Contact me on info@jeanettegibson.com
