Press-Free Printmaking

Course #2000028
Saul Chernick

Materials fee: $15*

This covers the cost of shared materials pre-purchased by your instructor.  Please bring cash or check payable to the instructor to your FIRST CLASS SESSION. 

*This fee does not cover the cost of materials listed below. 

Required materials for the FIRST class:
tools:
a soft rubber 4" or 6" brayer (a brayer is a hand-held rubber roller)
plexiglass sheets: 2 plates with a thickness of 1/8" measuring 12" x 12" each
bone folder (also known as a bookmaking folder) or a Japanese barren
scissors
retractable utility knife
pencils and erasers
paintbrushes of various sizes
glue (Elmer's, Sobo are a Neutral PH PVA [Poly Vinyl Acetate] all are good)
water mixable oil paint (Not to be confused with regular oil paint. It sounds strange but it's a great product, free of noxious odors, and it makes an excellent printing ink.) Get 3-5 colors that you enjoy.

papers:
Canoford drawing paper 19" x 25": 5 sheets any colors of your choice
newsprint pad, 16" X 20" or 18" X 24" are both good
18" x 24" sheet of oak-tag (sometimes referred to as poster board or tagboard — any color - it should not be so thick you can't cut it with scissors)

All papers can be folded in half to make for easier transport.  Tear out 10-15 sheets of newsprint in order to carry less for the first class

materials for subsequent classes:
*You may need the following materials. We'll discuss these after the first class session
additional printing papers
woodcut set
linoleum or rubber carving plates
paintbrushes of various sizes
japanese barren

Suggested art supply stores:
New York Central Art Supply—3rd Ave. between 10th and 11th Streets
Utrecht—111 East 4th Ave. between 11th and 12th Streets
Pearl Paint—308 Canal Street
For Plexiglass: Some art stores have plexi in stock but Canal Plastics Center (diagonally across the street from Pearl Paint) definitely has what you're looking for. 345 Canal Street

Some of these stores will give you a student discount if you present your Cooper Union Continuing Education registration receipt.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.