Making Prints: How Learning Printmaking During Pandemic Can Boost Students’ Creativity

Abstract

Initially, this research was based in the idea of combining online and offline classroom materials to teach art (Blended Learning). But since the start of 2020, learning everywhere have been pushed towards non-physical because of pandemic. Challenges in teaching art practices becomes visible and emphasised. Although Blended Learning method had been implemented in Art and Design Department of Faculty of Letters in Universitas Negeri Malang learning and teaching practices, it is proven that online based works better as supplement rather than main learning platform. Studio time in printmaking course becomes less relevant in this crisis, thus making prints at home with available and homely tools can make students relate printmaking principles to real life situation. The methodology of this research is experimentation, observation finished by qualitative study of the students' progress. Although challenges may appear enlarged, the result until now is quite comprehensive that students are exploring more tools and material in order to understand basic printmaking principles. On side note, because the students are using easy obtainable materials, the process also reduces more chemical residue and appear more friendly for future greener art curriculum.