Instructor: Michele Randall
Monday - Tuesday
June 3 - 4
10am - 4pm
2 Sessions
This course will cover the fundamentals of cyanotype printmaking and its use as a tool with encaustic painting. By the end of the workshop, students will understand how to produce cyanotypes, set up simple lab in their own studio and learn various techniques for incorporating cyanotype into the encaustic process.
Cyanotype prints are the result of a camera-less photography method, harnessing the sun to produce distinctive blue images in a matter of minutes. These prints will be used as the basis for the encaustic mix-media workshop. The ability to create distinctive images with an immediacy makes them a natural pairing for the encaustic process.
Cyanotype is distinct from traditional photography because the process allows a more tactile and immediate creation of the images. During the workshop students will have the opportunity to make images from found, locally sourced materials, photographs and drawings.
The first day of class will focus on the cyanotype technique. In this class students will learn three techniques for cyanotype printing; use of photographic negatives, illustrations and botanical photograms. We will experiment with different types of papers and discuss toning methods.
The second day of the class will focus on the application of wax. Specific papers and methods for creating translucency and opacity will be reviewed. Mark making and enhancements will be demonstrated.
Michele Randall is an artist and instructor. A native of rural Pennsylvania, her work is influenced by her connection to environment and place. Trained as a printmaker, Michele incorporates woodblock carving techniques into her encaustic work. In equal measure Michele has a love of cyanotype, a camera-less photography process. This technique creates deep indigo prints using the sun and water to develop the images. The nostalgic imagery is a perfect companion to encaustic and is the focus of her current work.
Michele has a BS and an MFA from Penn State University. She has taught in the art department at Penn State and Susquehanna University. Currently, she works full time as an artist and a private workshop instructor in encaustic, cyanotype, and mixed media.
She has taught courses at the IEA Retreat, The International Encaustic Conference and The Main Coast Artist Residency. She recently curated the exhibit Ephemeral/Ephemera for the IEA Celtic Convergence Retreat in Ireland. In 2022, She was awarded a residency at Castle Hill, Truro Center for the Arts, named as a finalist in The Women United Art Prize 2022, and has received recognition in a number of juried shows throughout her career. She exhibits regularly in group and solo shows.