Explore the exciting medium of relief printing! We'll learn how to print by hand using a variety of tools, creating our own own designs, and transferring them to create unique pieces of art filled with layers of tones and textures. Discover a variety of printmaking techniques and materials, including carving into linoleum for relief block printing, painting images of plexiglas and transferring them for one-of-a-kind monotype prints, and multi-dimensional projects using dry-point etching, all customized to your interests and experience.

• Monotype: Create one-of-a-kind prints by transferring an inked or painted image from a Plexiglas plate to paper. We'll also use cardboard, plastic and a range of experimental materials to create fun textures to our prints. 
• Relief Block Printing: Carve designs into soft linoleum, then ink and print to bring your drawings to life. We'll also use different printing techniques to experiment with texture and form. 
• Dry-Point Etching: Use a metal scribe to “draw” into Plexiglass sheets, then ink and print. This method can be layered with chine collé or drawing for rich, multi-dimensional results.

Instructor: Charusmitha Ram
Smitha’s artistic journey began in Chennai, India, where she earned her BFA. She has lived across East Asia and the U.S. since 2004, and her work explores cultural intersections shaped by migration, colonization, and identity. As a teacher, Smitha brings warmth and curiosity to the studio, encouraging creative exploration and a hands-on approach to learning. @wanderlust_on_foot

Age: Adult
Dates: 4 Wednesdays, October 8 to 29, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Materials: Tuition includes all materials

HCA Policies: Please review our website's HCA Student Policies and Procedures here.

• Injury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. 
  
  
• Photo Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA's Photo Release Agreement during registration.
  
  
• Waiting List: If this class is sold out, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so, please add your name to our waitlist here. 

Scholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here.

MEMBERS SAVE ON CLASSES: Your membership helps the HCA change the lives of artists and art lovers through its nurturing faculty, state-of-the-art facility, and need-based scholarship program. We are pleased to offer 5% off class costs to HCA Members from the Insider–Plus LEVEL and up.

To apply your membership discount to your order, please log into your account at the top of this page. Once logged in, your membership level discounts will be reflected in your cart at checkout.