Day two of Judith Rothchild's Mezzotint Workshop at the ICA Print Center: This morning we learned how to ink a mezzotint. We used a warm hot plate to apply unmodified ink with a brayer, and then wipped the plate with tarlatan, like one would wipe an etching. With the press set with tight pressure, we printed on very wet Hahnamule paper. We continued to work back into our images, burnishing to bring out the light values.

Judith showed us more of her Mezzotints, and some artist books she has made. She will be one of the artists attending CODEX, a bi-annual exhibition of artist books. This year's CODEX fair is in Richmond, CA and runs from Feb 10th - 13th. Stop by and see Judith, and over a hundred other artists.

Day one of Rockin' Mezzotint, a weekend workshop at the ICA Print Center, taught by special guest and visiting artist, Judith Rothchild. (See previous blog entry to learn more about Judith and the mezzotint process). After a brief history about mezzotint, developed in the 1640's and mostly practiced by engravers until the mid 20th century, Judith demonstrated how to "rock" a plate. She supplied everyone with a 2.5" rocker, a specific tool used in mezzotint to pit the copper. The tool has very fine teeth positioned along a curved edge. When rocked back and forth, the teeth pit the copper. We spent about 3 hours rocking our 3"x3" plates. Judith said it takes her about 5-6 hours to rock a 4"x6" plate.  By the end of the day, we had rocked and burnished most of our images. We will print our first proofs tomorrow morning, and then continue to pull the light values from the dark, as we burnish more tomorrow. It was a fabulous day, and a real treat to be able to learn from one of the few Mezzotint Masters in the world. 

Here is a taste of her gorgeous work! If you want to see more, be sure to visit the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, to see Judith Rothchild's mezzotint exhibition, "Black Magic", Feb 23 - Mar 18, 2013.

Make Art! “20 for 20” is back, this Friday, Feb 1st at the San Jose ICA Print Center. Stop by the Print Center between 6-9pm to make monotype (one-of-a-kind) greeting cards. Make Valentines for friends & family.

Details: $20. 20 minutes. 3 cards with envelopes. All materials and instruction provided. Pay at the door. All ages, children must be supervised.

Make the ICA your first stop on First Fridays! Free docent tours of the gallery between 6pm-7pm, and Cash bar serving beer and wine from 5pm-7pm.  Make art in the Print Center from 6pm-9pm. Then continue your gallery walk down First St.

The ICA Print Center is located within the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art.
560 South First Street San Jose, CA 95113
408.283.8155