Medieval News Flash / (MNN - Medieval News Network)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period (Dark Ages) lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th century (1400's). It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The woodcut is the oldest printing technique which was developed in China, and eventually was introduced to Europe in the early 1400's.  
For this project you will begin by selecting some article to illustrate.  Your work must be based on a real-life story/event.  You will then do a drawing based on some aspect of the story.  Pick a moment that you find compelling.  Think of yourself as a medieval photo journalist who has to capture the importance or drama of the event in one shot.  For the critique you will tell us about the story/event you chose to illustrate.  I then want you to come up with what would the headline for your article be, that you illustrated.
Project parameters:
  • Open topic (But based on a contemporary ACTUAL event.)  The event can be humorous, serious or anywhere in between.
  • Review a bunch of Medieval woodcuts (you can just google Medieval woodcuts).  And study how they draw their designs, use of perspective, modeling of forms, compositions etc.  Then design your image based on those aesthetics.  
  • Image size: Minimum of 8"x 8" or 8"x10"
  • You will print and turn in 8 prints on high quality paper (NO NEWSPRINT/XEROX paper), and you will be graded based on your best four. (One of the 4 must be hand-colored)​
  • Submit a TYPED written explanation of your print and the news story it is referencing.
TERMS:
  • Registration
  • Proof/Proofing
  • V Gouge, U gouge, knife, chisel
  • Edition
  • ​Archival
  • Brayer
  • Woodcut vs Engraving
  • Bleed Print vs Bordered Print
SAMPLE GALLERY OF MEDIEVAL WOODCUT PRINTS

Student works

Grading Criteria
The main print projects are worth 100 points, (unless otherwise stated) broken down in the following manner: 
  • Met parameters of project, correct size, edition, process, runs-10 points
  • Print Quality: Well printed, consistent, even and clean borders, signed correctly-10 points
  • Met all preliminary and final deadlines-5 points
  • Typed concept statement properly labeled with name/project.  If emailed: received prior to critique and properly labeled pdf- 5 points
  • Image & Concept- 70 points  
Prints will be docked an additional 10 pts per week they are late.  Completed work handed in on time can be redone as many times as you want to try to improve your grade, with only the highest grade being recorded. Work handed in late or incomplete cannot be redone for a better grade.