It is highly recommended that this unit be assessed in conjunction with:

CUVCOR04B Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse

CUVCOR09B Select and apply drawing techniques and media to represent and communicate the concept

CUVCOR13B Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice.

Depending on the context, combined assessment and/or training with a range of other units would also be appropriate, e.g.:

CUVCRS14B Prepare, store and maintain finished work

CUVCRS08B Document the work progress.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Inform work through experimentation with printmaking techniques and media.

1.1 Evaluate the potential for new approaches to printmaking based on capabilities of techniques already used.

1.2 Select, adapt or introduce new materials, tools, equipment or technology for the achievement of different effects.

1.3 Extend the capabilities of printing techniques through experimentation to inform practice.

1.4 Take account of particular safety or environmental issues associated with the use of different techniques and media.

1.5 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements.

2 Develop and refine a conceptual vision for prints.

2.1 Develop a conceptual vision for prints based on a knowledge and understanding of different printing techniques.

2.2 Consider the criteria for selecting techniques, material, tools and equipment based on results of experimentation.

2.3 Establish criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision.

2.4 Select approach to work which meets established criteria.

2.5 Refine the conceptual vision based on ongoing experimentation and analysis of printmaking techniques.

3 Determine and organise resource requirements for new work.

3.1 Assess specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches.

3.2 Research and access potential sources of supply for printmaking resources.

3.3 Evaluate cost or other constraints which may impact on the development of work.

3.4 Set up or co-ordinate resource requirements in accordance with safety or other workplace requirements.

4 Realise prints.

4.1 Realise the prints using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision.

4.2 Evaluate and respond to the potential for changes in the use of techniques, materials, tools or equipment.

4.3 Refine the conceptual vision based on ongoing experiences with the production of work.

4.4 Use safe working practices throughout the production of prints.

4.5 Consider issues of presentation and take action accordingly.

Required skills:

research skills and sources of information to inform experimentation in printmaking

literacy skills sufficient to interpret information and material about the work of other printmakers

numeracy skills sufficient to evaluate resource costs and to calculate material requirements and processing times.

Required knowledge:

the role of experimentation in developing and refining concepts for prints

detailed knowledge of physical properties and capabilities of the range of materials and tools used in printmaking

the characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

the formal elements and principles of design and how these may be used, adapted and challenged in the development of concepts for prints

the historical and theoretical contexts for printmaking and how this may be used to inform own artistic practice

copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation associated with printmaking

sources of raw, part-processed and processed materials and other resources for printmaking

work space requirements for printmaking, including selection and set up of work space for particular types of work

environmental issues associated with the tools and materials used in printmaking including the potential issues associated with new approaches

organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to printmaking.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

production of prints which demonstrates a highly developed command of the selected techniques and which is consistent with the conceptual vision

in depth knowledge of techniques, materials and tools and the ways they may be adapted and extended in printmaking.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

evaluation of visual language and technical execution of work pieces produced by the candidate

practical demonstration of skills using required tools, equipment and materials to produce multiple prints or a single major work.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

direct observation of work in progress, including exploration of and experimentation with techniques

questioning and discussion about candidate's intentions and the work outcome

verbal and written reports

review of portfolios of evidence

third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such a speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials and resources needed to learn new printmaking techniques and to extend them through exploration and experimentation.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Within this unit the candidate would generally demonstrate a command of a broad range of techniques as the basis for experimentation and innovation. Printmaking techniques may include:

collograph

digital imaging

dry point

intaglio

lithography

mezzotint

monotype

photocopy

photographic techniques

relief

screen

wood engraving.

Materials may include:

materials for block preparation, e.g. sand paper, steel wool, polishing liquids, plate grounds, etching acids, gum, carborundum, rosin, sugar lift, carbon paper, tusche, crayons, developing fluids

materials for block/plate making, e.g. lino, wood copper, zinc, aluminium, perspex, plaster, cardboard, stone, photographic films and emulsions

materials for printing, e.g. water and oil based inks, oil paints, water colour, pigments chine colle papers, protective papers, tarlatan, rags

substrate materials, e.g. a variety of papers, cardboard, fabric, perspex.

Tools and equipment may include:

computer, software, printer, scanner

equipment for paper preparation and handling (soaking tray, preparation tables, scissors, knives, cutting blades, rulers, drying racks and boards)

lithography stones and plates

photocopier

plate grainer

printing tools and equipment (presses, blankets, cardboard, burnishers, barens, screens, squeegees, vacuum tables)

protective clothing

tools and equipment for applying colour and tone (rollers, brushes, sponges, scrapers)

tools and equipment for plate preparation, e.g. cutting tools, metal scribes, burnisher, scrapers, roulettes, found tools, brushes, sponges, acid trays, equipment for photographic processes, aquatint equipment, dryers.

Extending capabilities through:

experimentation encourages the exploration of the full potential of the art form and involves innovation.

Particular safety or environmental issues may include:

Federal, State and Territory legislation, regulations and standards

personal protection

recycling

safe disposal of waste.

Research may involve:

approaching individuals with relevant expertise

attending lectures and talks

conducting material and technical experiments and tests

seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers

visiting exhibitions, museums, print workshops.

Intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements may relate to:

extent to which the work may be used

procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright

protocols for the adaptation of work by others.

The conceptual vision may be determined by:

elements and principles of design

the relationship of the work to a theoretical and historical context

the subject matter or theme for the prints, e.g. the body; identity; land and place; political, cultural, social issues; spiritual concerns.

Prints may be:

3-dimensional (3D) work

artists books

editions

installation work

series

unique states.

Refining the conceptual vision may include:

adjustment to consideration of elements and principles of design

adjustment to subject matter or theme

adjustment to utilise the extended capabilities of the technique

no change.

Sources of supply may include:

commercial outlets

found objects or materials

manufacturing or factory waste

nature.

Cost and other constraints may relate to:

availability of materials and tools

budgeting

sponsorship

timeframe.

Workplace requirements may include:

drying space

lighting

ventilation

wet and dry areas.

Issues of presentation may include:

availability of space

cost

practical considerations

presentation context

timeframe.

Taking action may involve:

deciding on presentation method

seeking external assistance, e.g. for example with framing, bookbinding

selecting and preparing work for presentation.

This unit contains employability skills.