Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

This course, Print Making, introduces students to metal plates—specifically copper plates—as a starting point, focusing on the “art of the pen” in etching. Through the delicate process of etching, students learn to render images directly onto their work. The course guides students through the fundamental steps of copperplate etching, including composition, engraving, and printing. This class is not intended to train highly skilled technicians or professional artists, nor does it follow the extended studio hours typical of art academies. As a general education art course, its primary goal is to allow students to experience the creative process through hands-on materials. By engaging both handcraft and reflective thought, students cultivate personal awareness, aesthetic sensibility, and an understanding of creation itself.

Results/Contributions

Course Learning Outcomes

 

In this semester’s Print Making course, I completed three original works using copperplate etching techniques, gaining a deep understanding of the printmaking process and artistic thinking. At the beginning of the course, I started with conceptual development and sketching, reflecting on the context, concepts, and personal relevance of each piece. Through multiple revisions and discussions, I learned to transform abstract ideas into concrete visual language, realizing that artistic creation is not merely the accumulation of techniques but a process of observation, decision-making, and expression.

 

During the production process, I mastered core etching skills, including plate engraving, acid etching, polishing, and printing. Through the delicate expression of etching, I experienced the freedom and precision of drawing with the stylus and learned to control the application and removal of the resist, gradually revealing the image on the plate. Each step required patience and focus, allowing me to experience a meditative and reflective state through hands-on practice.

 

The course emphasized creativity and originality, requiring all works to be self-created while avoiding pre-made molds or cartoon designs. This requirement encouraged me to explore personal style, composition, and expressive approaches, continually challenging my creative limits. Through interactions and discussions with the instructor and peers, I also learned to draw inspiration from others’ work and reflect on my own strengths and areas for improvement.

 

The course highlighted the integrity of the creative process and reflective practice. From initial sketches to engraving, etching, printing, and final presentation, each piece combined conceptual thinking, technical skill, and aesthetic judgment. I not only acquired printmaking techniques but also deepened my understanding of the essence of artistic creation, experienced the integration of handcraft and mindfulness, and developed patience, observational skills, and artistic sensitivity, culminating in a complete series of works with individual character.

Keywords

Printmaking Art Creation Open-Themed / Free Topic

Contact Information

林甫珊
fslin@mx.nthu.edu.tw