by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog
If this is your first visit to my blogs, I aim to provide ideas, resources and inspiration on making art and appreciating art in Switzerland. I currently teach art in the Washington, D.C. region since 2016, but I lived in the Geneva region for a total of nearly nine years. I taught art in group classes and camps, as well as individual lessons.
My focus lately for teaching and my own work, is on Linocut printmaking, otherwise known as “blockprinting.” It can also fall under the general heading of “relief printmaking.” I still teach one-on-one and for group classes and workshops, and with the exception of offering Zoom classes during the pandemic, I have chosen to stick with in-person teaching. I invite readers of this blog to visit and “like” the online gallery I have set up on Instagram of largely my students’ artwork in recent years: @katesstudentsart_
In recent times most people have switched to linoleum or similar surfaces that are easier to carve than wood! It is astounding when you look at the Old Masters, to see the detail they were able to achieve. Check out the woodcut by Albrecht Durer below (German, from the 1500’s). You can read more on the site www.mymodernmet.com (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC). Durer was the artist largely responsible for bringing the Italian Renaissance printmaking to Germany after two of his trips there.
In this day and age, it is heartening that around the world, with so many areas of life becoming digitalized, coded, and impersonal, there are artists who are keeping the art of linocut printmaking alive. What follows are the names of some well-known linocut artists. If you are so inclined, joining a printmaking education program or cooperative studio could have a positive impact on your creative development - from being surrounded by others’ artwork and from conversations, sharing positive feedback, techniques and stories.
In this blog, which you will see here, is Part 1 and a Part 2, for the next installment. After sharing my information and guidelines on process and materials, I will be listing the websites and Instagram pages of contemporary linocut artists at the end. I am sure you will find them unique and inspiring! I have attached a photo of one of my own linocuts. The landscape is from a drawing I made on-site from atop a hill in Hermance, outside Geneva, several years ago, where I used to live. I also have a photo of the “SoftKut” blocks that I use,and the carving tools that are top of the line named” Pfeil”. There are other brands that will suit the beginner (please read the section on materials - in the US the most well-known is Speedball).
Linocuts and woodcuts for public viewing
Geneva:
- Musée d’Art et d’Histoire right in the Old Town of Geneva. One can browse through many rooms of European art as well as of archaeology and a special section on Swiss artists. As their exhibits do change periodically, a best bet is to phone them to see if there are any contemporary prints, or prints from their permanent collection, such as vintage engravings. on display.
- Galerie des Bains: This gallery collaborates with an association for printmaking, Print Them All
Carouge: these small galleries that have exhibited printmaking in the past. As their exhibits change too, please check their websites, or phone first.
- Le Salon Vert: features work with nature themes (open Saturday afternoons or by appointment.)
- Atelier Leckie: Also offers classes for adults in etching (not in relief printmaking).
Lausanne:
- Espace Créatif Caran d'Ache. Our first HeARTful Blog featured this Swiss art supply company. This art center has a different artist every month, some from out of Switzerland, who gives talks at events and teaches classes for all ages. A great website. NOTE: This center is temporarily closed so call before heading out.
Zurich:
- Kunsthaus Zurich. Wednesdays free admission.
Courses/workshops in linocut printmaking
I have found some studio schools/galleries which have offered linocut workshops or series which one can take independently.
Les Créateliers: Near Les Bains de Pâquis in Geneva. This association has the most offerings and has a website with tons of information. It is even listed on the Ville de Geneve site. Children and adults.
Apolline Arts: Etoy, VD. Please check the website and inquire if and when they will offer printmaking for all ages.
Another Apolline, not sure if it is related, in Paris! This is the best visual introduction I have viewed online,of the steps I have found - a studio school. There are 7 photos to follow and the first is a short video of about 1 minute. If you have plans to visit Paris in the near future you might see if they have a weekend workshop!
Atelier Leckie: Anne Leckie is an intaglio etching engraver, and her courses relate to this printmaking form, not to relief printmaking.
L’Artquarium: Gilbert Wolfisberg is a well-known painter and art educator with a broad experience in teaching drawing and painting for children and adults in Geneva and in Lausanne. He has a team of more than 12 well-qualified and experienced instructors. At the moment I do not see any printmaking courses listed. It would be worth a visit and to know that any fundamental drawing courses could benefit your printmaking very well. There is an instagram online gallery of student work.
The two large art schools which offer degree programs nearby are HEAD (Geneva) and the Ecole Cantonal d’Art de Lausanne, ECAL. However, as a rule, they don’t offer separate courses in the graphic arts for individuals.
Stayed tuned for part 2!
Author's bio
Kate Lanxner
An American and former Geneva resident, an art teacher for more than 25 years, and a published illustrator. She currently teaches in Montgomery County, Maryland, outside of Washington D.C. in the U.S.
After graduating from art school, she traveled to Paris and took part in a printmaking program at Atelier Contrepoint (formerly Atelier 17) in color etching and engraving, directed by the late Stanley William Hayter. She has not only taken to making art, but sharing her knowledge through The HeARTful Blog.
