This document provides information about printmaking courses offered by Progetto Ecate, a small non-profit organization that provides printmaking educational resources. It offers a variety of printmaking courses throughout the summer, including weekend courses focusing on specific techniques, 5-day intensive courses covering multiple techniques, and workshops focused on a single technique. The courses are open to beginners and experienced artists and are held in Como, Italy, a scenic town located on Lake Como that provides opportunities for exploring the local area.

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rogetto Ecate is a small not-for-profit
guild that provides educational resources
in the graphic arts. Founded in 2005, this
innovative and international project aims to
promote the understanding of printmaking and
to pursue excellence in its practice. It achieves
this by providing, maintaining and staffing a
print studio, where artists and members of the
public can use equipment and source technical
expertise in order to develop their hands on
printmaking skills.
Our summer school has been thoroughly
appreciated for its variety of subjects and its
flexibility in approaching printmaking both in a
traditional and in an experimental way.
Regarding the current querelle about so-called
“non-toxic” intaglio, we believe that, at this
stage, there is no such thing as a completely safe
procedure. It is possible to work with new
acrylic-based products and to avoid the use of
acids, etching metals with salts but printmaking
will always require procedures that can be
potentially messy. A specific course has been
designed to compare acrylic resist intaglio to
acid resist intaglio and is open to anyone
interested in the subject, although prior
experience is required.
Generally speaking, enrollments are open to
anybody. The limited number of participants
will in fact allow the teacher to follow each
student individually, permitting the entry to
total beginners as well as experienced artists or
art students. Check on each course description
whether some previous experience is needed.
Since June 2008, Progetto Ecate Print
Workshop is situated in Como, a bustling lively
town with a scenic location at the southern end
of the east branch of Lake Como. Like the other
Italian Lakes, Lake Como has been popular as a
resort since the days of the Roman Empire.
Visitors ever since have admired the blue waters,
lush gardens and luxurious villas in the wooded
lakeside slopes above. Today Como has a host
of attractions for visitors, and its historic
character combines with the best of modern
facilities. It is a wonderful place for a creative,
relaxing and study holiday, where, as well as
joining a course, there are many opportunities to
explore the area and have a wonderful time.
I encourage you to explore the extensive course
selection that our programme will be offering
next summer and I hope that you will find
something you like. For any further question,
please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely
Elena Governo
elena@progettoecate.com
www.progettoecate.com
Progetto Ecate Summer courses guide:
 General
 Weekend courses
 Intensive courses, 5 days
 Monographic workshops
 Courses upon request
 Taylor-made
 Concessions, terms & conditions
 What to bring and wear
 Time for a vacation!
General
Enrollments are open to anybody. The limited
number of participants will in fact allow the
teacher to follow each student individually,
permitting the entry to total beginners as well as
artists or art students who would like to deepen
their knowledge of printings techniques and
media. Check on each course schedule whether
some previous experience is required.
After two years of activity in the enchanting
countryside of Monferrine and one year on the
verbena covered shores of Lake Maggiore,
Progetto Ecate has now moved in the lively city
of Como, where it has bought an old but
completely renovated 135 sqmt workshop for the
arts and crafts. We have facilities for intaglio,
relief printing, lithography and bookbinding.
There is also a relax area and a kitchenette open
to the participants. If you require assistance
with physical access or interpretation please
contact us prior to your visit.
Weekend courses
Weekend courses offer to the taster the chance
to be introduced to one particular technique or
theme.
9.30-12.30 and 13.30-18.30
8 hours per day, 16 hours total.
Etch and glow: introduction to the colour multi-
plate printing
This course will give an enjoyable and
instructive overview to the four colour printing
process and will dispel the common belief that
prints are very similar to black and white
drawings. Using relatively simple techniques,
mainly acquaforte, aquatint and open bite, we
will create a striking colour image on two
separate plates, printed in registration. A free
handbook will be given to each student. Each
participant will make own works, which may be
created at the moment or on the base of
drawings, photographs and images brought
from home.
5 people – 150 Euro material included
30th-31st May
11th-12th July
26th-27th September
Vivid colours: monotype and collagraph prints
The monotype is an intriguing hybrid among
printmaking techniques: it is neither a print, nor
a painting, but the unique combination of both.
The collagraph is a print made from a collage of
various materials, glued together on a matrix.
The possibilities for textures, embossing or
colour overprintings offered by these two
techniques are almost limitless, as they allow
considerable experimentation. This is a good
opportunity for beginners to learn how to make
a print in a simple and playful way – especially if
the student has no prior drawing experience –
although the course can be useful also to the
experienced traditional printmaker because it is
a chance to open up to new fresh, exploratory
and uncomplicated media and eventually mix
them with own style and technique.
6 people – 120 Euro material included
22nd-23rd August
Rich textures: collagraph and carborundum
prints
Over this two-day course, participants will be
introduced to a whole range of approaches to
collagraph and carborundum media, using a
variety of materials and supports as well as
various methods of plate construction, inking
and printing. The workshop will include
discussion and critique of image composition
and colour theory and therefore it is particularly
suitable to those who are looking for rigorous
critical debate and personal development
towards exhibition.
4 people – 135 Euro material included
1st-2nd August
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Discover the artists’ book
The concept of artists' books as independent art
works and as an established art form has been
developed during the Twentieth century, when
several avant-garde practices attempted to
democratize access to art. The Dada and the
Surrealist movements investigated the book
form, creating three-dimensional book-objects
(Marcel Duchamp), collage novels (Max Ernst)
as well as typographical experiments (Filippo
Tommaso Marinetti). In the 60’s conceptual art
was propelled into the world of artists’ books
and artists such as Sol Lewitt, Robert Barry,
Lawrence Weiner were able to make a small
industry out of bookworks. Artists' books
continue to be a major inter-disciplinary
medium within contemporary art practice. This
weekend workshop explores modern and
contemporary examples of artists' books
through practical sessions and demonstrations
of non-adhesive binding.
6 people – 120 Euro material included
4th-5th July
Acid resist versus acrylic resist intaglio
The last decade has seen a greater awareness of
safer practice and tightening of Health and
Safety legislation. Etching is a hazardous
procedure, requiring the use of mordants, resists
and solvents, which are harmful by inhalation,
ingestion or through the skin. Etching materials
should also be subjected to special waste
disposal, as they may pollute the environment.
This course wants to point out that, at this
stage, there is no such thing as non-toxic
intaglio, but researches must be made and
artists should be aware of what they are using
and what alternatives they have. The workshop
will give equal emphasis to concept and
technique, testing on different metals the action
of different mordants (both acids and salts) as
well as the resist capacity of different organic
and inorganic grounds. All the test plates will be
printed and analyzed. This tuition will enable
each participant to know how to work in any
studio and with any material as well as to choose
among different approaches the one that suits
best. Some previous experience of etching
would be useful.
6 people – 150 Euro material included
12th-13th September
Photo-Etching
This weekend workshop gives an understanding
of the basic procedures and approaches to using
photo etching and its relationship to traditional
intaglio methods. No previous knowledge of
intaglio printmaking is necessary, although
students with some printmaking experience will
be given the opportunity to broaden and extend
their work by using photo imagery.
6 people – 150 Euro material included
18th-19th April
6th-7th June
Solar-plate onto water-washable photopolymer
plates
Produce truly stunning results with light
sensitive plates: fast, safe and simple. This
weekend course will introduce both
photopolymer film and Solarplate techniques.
Solarplate or photopolymer gravure uses
remarkable water-washable photopolymer
plates, an innovative new printmaking process
that is safe and fast. Although the course will be
of interest to all artists, it is particularly suitable
for those working with photographic and digital
imaging who wish to produce high quality
original prints.
6 people – 150 Euro materiali inclusi
25th-26th April
27th-28th June
19th-20th September
Intensive courses, 5 days
Intensive courses allow ample opportunity to
learn several techniques in a more advanced
way, as well good studio habits, concepts and
critical approaches. Small class numbers will
ensure you to get the best out of your course.
10.00-13.00 and 14.00-18.00, 7 hours per day, 35
hours total.
A course of printmaking
With a special emphasis on both efficiency and
spontaneity, this course is a great way to learn
about the beauty of printmaking. Come and
spend five days making prints in a relaxed and
dynamic environment, open up to new ideas and
express yourself freely under the constant
assistance of the tutor. The schedule of this
course is left general to allow the highest
freedom, but the limited number of participants
will anyway ensure that all the personal needs
will be accommodated.
5 people – 350 Euro material included
20th-24th April
13th-17th July
7th-11th September
Introduction to the intaglio printmaking
This course introduces and examines in depth
the basic techniques of chalcography,
concerning engraving (carried out with the sole
intervention of the artist's gesture) as well as
etching (carried out through the use of acids and
corrosive agents). Each lesson will explain how
to create acquafortes, aquatints, soft grounds,
dry points, mezzotints and roulettes. After this,
it will be possible to try alternative procedures
that can integrate the basic techniques in order
to obtain more sophisticated results and free
and casual effects.
Methods demonstrated will be:
Etching:
- Acquaforte, simple, with several mordantings,
opus mallei or lapis method.
- Aquatint, with different reserves such as
colophony, bitumen, spray or salt. Protections in
varnish, lithopen, wax.
- Soft ground and hard ground. Wax prints, wax
shades, pastel effect, salt manner.
Engraving:
- Dry point
- Roulettes
- Mezzotint.
The programme will also feature notions of
chemistry (regarding the processes and the
materials used), history of paper, history of
chalcography, and composition theory. A free
handbook will be given to each student. Each
participant will make own works, which may be
created at the moment or on the base of
drawings, photographs and images brought
from home.
5 people – 300 Euro material included
25th-29th May
17th-21st August
Exploring relief printing
Of all the forma of expression of printmaking,
the relief print is the most ancient. Its history is
the history of people’s desire to communicate
information, first through symbols, later
through images and the printed word. This
course explores the different techniques of relief
print on woodblock and unsized chalk block.
Upon request it will be possible to try out
linocut, using linoleum matrixes. A free
handbook will be given to each student. Each
participant will make own works, which may be
created at the moment or on the base of
drawings, photographs and images brought
from home.
6 people – 300 Euro material included
4th-8th May
20th-24th July

4. 4
Viscosity Method
Viscosity method is the unique method that
allows multicolour printing using one plate.
This process, developed in Stanley William
Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris, relies on three
important attributes: the development of a plate
with multiple layers, the use of inks of different
viscosities and rollers of varied durometers. This
is a rare chance to be introduced to this
charming and complex technique, not very often
used by intaglio-printmakers.
5 people – 350 Euro material included
27th April – 1st May
6th-10th July
21st-25th September
Ukiyo-e: Japanese woodblock relief printing
Japanese woodblock prints, known as Ukiyo-e,
constitute one of the most spectacular and
original achievements in printmaking history: its
origins root back to Chinese block books as well
as multiple colour prints that Saint Francis
Xavier brought in Japan in 1549. The
production of Ukiyo-e was a complex process
involving whole range of people, each
contributing diverse skills to the final result. It
was reliant on an independent publisher who
oversaw the entire project, liaising artists, block
cutters and printers. This system often yielded
designs of utmost refinement, as well as
imaginative, earthy expressions of the lives of the
commoners: included beautiful women, geishas,
courtesans, young lovers, erotica, domestic
scenes, cityscapes, landscapes, nature scenes
(especially birds and flowers), actors, military
scenes, historical allegories, parodies, ghosts
and demons, genre scenes, and still life. This
course offers a rare insight into one of the most
ancient and subtle print processes, all with
original materials and tools.
4 people – 350 Euro material included
13th-17th April
1st-5th June
24th-28th August
Stone lithography
As the number of places on this particular
course is kept to a maximum of four, each
participant is encouraged to explore the medium
in the way which is most appropriate to his or
her own interests and experience, ranging from
an introduction to the main technical processes
of stone lithography, including preparation of
stones, principal drawing and painting
techniques and materials and printing skills, to
more specialised subjects such as colour and
transfer lithography.
4 people – 350 Euro material included
27th-31st July
14th-18th September
Monographic workshops
Exploring etching
This course introduces and examines in depth
the old technique of acquaforte. It will exploit
the great advantages of several acid bites in
order to create powerful and expressive images
and enhance a profound and contrasted
chiaroscuro. A free handbook will be given to
each student. Each participant will make own
works, which may be created at the moment or
on the base of drawings, photographs and
images brought from home.
6 people – 300 Euro material included
Dates upon request
Exploring aquatint
This course introduces and examines in depth
the tone, studying different types of grounds
which will create different graphic results. We
will play with different acid resist materials,
pounded to different grains, solid or liquid and
different times of corrosion.
6 people – 300 Euro material included
Dates upon request
Wood engraving
Wood engraving’s invention is largely credited
to Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), a British
silversmith and engraver who finally found a
solution on how to create a print that could bear
fine details and withstand large editions from a
woodblock. His was a great contribution, soon
wood engraving proved to be the most workable
method of printing images simultaneously with
text set in lead type. Using end-grain woods for
the blocks and burins, gravers and scorpers as
tools, it is in fact possible to create small,
suggestive and incredibly detailed prints, whose
matrix is incredibly strong and does not chip nor
wears out. Wood engraving is rarely taught:
materials are expensive and the technique
requires an amount of patience and skill, yet the
charm of this old tradition is unmatchable. The
workshop will cover all the aspects: the choice of
the right block for engraving; the selection, the
use and the sharpening of tools; the preparation
of papers and inks in order to get the best
results. This course is suitable for who is already
experienced with drawing.
4 people – 350 Euro material included
Dates upon request
Photo-etching: transfer and photopolymer
media
Photography has always been closely linked to
printmaking, since its advent printmakers have
been charmed by the possibilities offered by the
new medium and have been conducting
pioneering experiments, applying
photosensitised gelatins onto plates.
Photographic engraving, halftone screen
engraving, photogravure were only a few of the
several ingenious late XIX century intaglio
techniques related to photographic procedures.
In the XX century the development of
photomechanical transfer media sadly fed the
market of fake artworks and, more in general,
found the most banal applications. For this
reason photo-etching is often excluded by what
is considered to be an original work of graphic
art. Yet, it is impossible to deny that
photographic and digital processes are playing a
vital role in contemporary printmaking. This
workshop will introduce a range of transfer
media, from the simplest to the most advanced,
and above all will introduce the practice of the
solar plate and of the latest photopolymer media
(water-washable plates), which are known and
appreciated for being the latest non-toxic
discovery. Multiple strategies for incorporation
of digital and photographic media will be
explored, while reflecting on their relevance to
the student’s personal vision.
6 people – 300 Euro material included
Dates upon request

5. 5
Digital Photography and photographic
computer application for printmaking
Tutor: Zara Matthews
A 2 day course that covers the following:
Day One: Use of the Digital Camera
Capturing the Image
Resolution and Image Quality
Useful Settings
Focusing
Lighting/Exposure
Composition.
Day Two: Computer Manipulation and Output
for Printmaking using Adobe Photoshop
Scanning
Importing captured Photos from Camera to
Computer
Creating Halftone Images
Printing onto Acetate
EQUIPMENT: Students would need to bring
their own digital camera which can be a simple
'point and shoot' camera or a dSLR. They also
need to bring: a spare set of batteries with
battery charger, Instruction Manual for their
camera (which is essential), Tripod (if they have
one), A Memory Card Reader.
Computers: If students have a laptop they can
bring it with them, with Adobe Photoshop
installed, a few Macs will be available in the
studio.
Duration: 2 days, 8 people
150 Euro
Dates to be decided
Hortus Conclustus: making botanical prints
Botanical art is the well-established tradition of
portraying plants for scientific purposes or
rendering the beauty and inspiration we
experience in the flora of the world around us.
We want to create an ambitious project, that
will finally culminate with an exhibition of prints
touring Italian botanical gardens, to offer
participants the drawing skills required to
render accurate depictions of the plant world as
well as the intaglio skills to turn the drawing
into a successful print. Two tutors, with specific
training, will ensure to offer the best possible
tuition and assistance.
Duration: 7 days, 8 people
500 Euro
8th-14th June
Progetto Port-folio
Progetto port-folio is dedicated to experienced
artists and art students who wish to release a
port-folio of prints. The entry to this course is
subdued to a preliminary selection. For further
info, please contact Elena at:
Elena@progettoecate.com
Durata: 7 days, 500 Euro, 4 people
29th August – 4th September
Courses upon request
In consultation with the workshop, small
groups of 4 to 6 people can ask any of the
courses listed above with a different duration or
other variations. It is also possible to organize
hybrid programmes to fit personal needs or
interests. Costs will be arranged in
consideration of the type of course requested.
Taylor made
In consultation with the workshop, small
groups of 4 to 6 people can design their own
artists’ holiday course to fit their plans, whether
it is an intense workshop or a more leisurely
approach to fit in with a holiday break. Available
weeks in June, September and October, please
write early in advance to avoid disappointment.
Costs for tuition and basic materials are:
Intense 5 days workshop: 350 € per person
10.00-13.00 and 14.00-18.00, 35 hrs total
or:
Leisure 5 days workshop: 250 € pp
9.00 to 14.00, 25 hours total
Replace legibility with creativity
A series of weekends dedicated to the art of
calligraphy and handwriting as expression of the
self or as a compendium to the making of an
artist’s book.
Tutors: various professional artists invited.
Duration: 2 days, details to be decided
23rd-24th May
5th-6th September
Concessions, terms and conditions
Courses are for 18 years and upwards.
Concessions (-5%) are given to: unemployed;
students; senior citizens, and claimants. To
book as a concession you must provide proof of
status. If you book two or more courses you will
get a reduction of 10% on the fee of each
additional course. No concession will be
accorded to enrollments to guest artists’
workshops.
To book a place on one of Progetto Ecate’
Summer courses full payment must be made in
advance within May 15th
, 2008 or within one
month prior to the starting date of the course.
Full balance of fees must be paid in advance
through bank transfer (Banca Unicredit,
Agency Legnano San Magno, Legnano (Mi).
S W I F T c o d e I B A N I T 3 0
F 0 2 0 0 8 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 6 0 4 1 5 5 B I C
UNCRIT2B340, payable to Elena Governo).
Occasionally due to circumstances beyond our
control Progetto Ecate may have to cancel
courses and we reserve the right to do so with a
minimum of one month notice prior to the start
date. Full refunds will be given for any courses
cancelled by Progetto Ecate. For cancellation by
course participants, full refunds will be given to
those cancelling six weeks prior to the course
start date. No refund can be guaranteed if less
notice is given. In this instance Progetto Ecate
course fees may be refunded at PE’s discretion,
only if we are able to fill your place. To help us
do this it is important to let us know as soon as
possible that you will be unable to attend.
What to bring and wear
As you are aware, all materials relating to the
classes are included in the cost or can be
purchased individually by placing an order.
However, in order for you to get the most out of
the course, there are some additional materials
you may wish to bring for your own personal
use:
• A range of brushes in suitable sizes (synthetic
brushes for acrylics are best) • Pencils, rubber,
penknife, tracing paper, masking tape •
Reference material: sketch books, any
preparatory drawings, photographs,
photocopies etc • Small portfolio for finished
prints.
As some of the processes are potentially messy,
please remember to bring protective clothing
with you, such as an apron or old clothes
including a jumper and a pair of household
rubber gloves. Whilst working in the studio,
items of loose clothing should be avoided and
long hair should be tied back.
Time for a vacation!
Italy is a country of extremes, with something to
offer every visitor: from snow-iced mountains to
hot lazy Mediterranean beaches, from unspoiled
hill villages to cities that have bustled for
thousands of years. Italy is also a dream
destination for city breaks and Lake Como is a
reminder of bygone holiday elegance, with a

6. 6
steamer cruising between resort towns and
stately gardens open to the public.
After two years of activity in the enchanting
countryside of Monferrine and one year on the
charming shores of Lake Maggiore, Progetto
Ecate has moved to Como. It is on Italy's main
railway network, and trains or busses run from
Milan frequently, taking around 40 minutes.
You can fly to any Milan city airport (Linate,
Malpensa or Milano Bergamo Orio al Serio)
and then easily reach Como. Progetto Ecate is
not a tourist operator but we will gladly assist
you in finding a place to stay while you attend
our courses. Search our website or write us.
PROGETTO ECATE BOOKING FORM 2009
Personal Information
First and last name__________________________________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, Country, Zip code______________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to attend the following course(s): _____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature__________________________________
I am aware of the terms and conditions. I am 18 years old and upward.
Please print, detach, fill in the form and send it to Progetto Ecate c/o Elena Governo, Via Genova 63, 20025 Legnano (Milano), Italy. Please include proof of
payment. Do not send checks or credit card information in regular mail. If you have any question about the methods of payment, you can phone 00393319054880
or email info@progettoecate.com

VOUCHER OMAGGIO
Progetto Ecate makes very special gifts. As soon as we receive the details of a registration and the proof of payment, we immediately send a beautifully decorated gift
voucher to the recipient. The gift voucher has a validity of 18 months and can be used anytime in accordance with the studio, unless it concerns a specific course. In
this case, please mention the title and date of the course at the moment of booking.
First and last name of the donor _______________________________________________________________________________
First and last name of the recipient______________________________________________________________________________
Gift voucher valid for the following course(s) ______________________________________________________________________
Or, open voucher for:  2 days, 150 € 3 days, 200 €  5 days, 350 €
www.progettoecate.com
Progetto Ecate, via Palestro 7, 22100
Como