Studio Series: Printmaking Workshop – No Pressure with Joseph Velasquez

Create bold relief prints in this four-week printmaking course with Joseph Velasquez. Learn carving, inking, and hand-printing techniques.

Studio Series: Printmaking Workshop – No Pressure with Joseph Velasquez

Discover the creative possibilities of printmaking in this immersive four-week studio course led by acclaimed Chicano artist Joseph Velasquez.

Designed for artists of all experience levels, No Pressure introduces participants to the fundamentals of relief printmaking and book arts through hands-on exploration. Using pre-carved printing blocks, students will learn image transfer, inking, registration, and hand-printing techniques while experimenting with color, layering, repetition, and composition.

As the course progresses, participants will discover how original prints can be transformed into simple artist books, combining printmaking and book arts into a unique creative practice. Working in an intimate studio setting, students will receive personalized instruction and guidance while developing technical skills, creative confidence, and their own artistic voice.

All materials are included, making this an ideal opportunity for beginners and experienced artists alike to explore two engaging art forms and leave with a collection of original prints and a handcrafted artist book.
What You’ll Learn
Week 1: Introduction to Printmaking

Explore printmaking materials and studio practices
Learn image transfer, registration, and inking techniques
Create prints using pre-carved blocks

Week 2: Exploring Printmaking

Experiment with color, layering, and multiple impressions
Refine hand-printing techniques
Discover how repetition and variation create dynamic imagery

Week 3: Introduction to Book Arts

Learn the fundamentals of artist books
Explore simple book structures
Begin creating a personalized book featuring your original prints

Week 4: Finishing & Critique

Complete your printed works and artist book
Participate in a supportive group critique
Review techniques and celebrate your finished projects

Artist Bio

Joseph Velasquez is a Chicano artist, printmaker, and founder of Drive By Press. His work is inspired by his Chicano heritage and the rich visual culture of the American Southwest, exploring family history, identity, and storytelling through printmaking.

His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the 54th La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy. In 2017, he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for Carnival of INK, a community-based printmaking initiative. Through his work, Velasquez transforms personal and cultural narratives into powerful visual stories that connect communities through art.