Riso Basics is an exploratory workshop for those who want to understand what Risograph prints have to offer, how the process works, and how Risography translates visual information onto the page.
What makes Riso prints so alluring? How does a Risograph print specialty colors and impart that retro, soft-grain fuzziness? Is Risography hard to do and how are prints made? This hands-on, no-experience-necessary workshop seeks to answer those questions for makers, artists, writers, and zinesters alike.
Students leave with:
- A comprehensive understanding of how the RZ1090U Risograph machine works as they draw, collage, and experiment with analog media to create their prints
- Tips for digital file preparation
- Ten custom, two-color, 11x17 prints of their own design
Students must bring:
- Themselves! No preparation necessary.
With a class size limited to six students, this experience is built to be safe and higly personalized. Instructors Diana and Ben of BEARBEAR will be hands-on with each student to help prepare their artwork, work the machine, and answer questions along the way.
No artistic or printmaking background necessary. Beginners and those with minimal Riso experience are encouraged to join. Recommended for ages 16 and up. All materials are provided. Bookings are non-refundable. Masks are currently optional but welcome.
Curious if this class is right for you? See our FAQ.
About your instructors:
BEARBEAR is a creative studio co-founded in 2019 by Diana Chu (she/her) and life partner Ben Grzenia (he/his). They live and work in Milwaukee with shared backgrounds in illustration and communication design. Ben and Diana combine nearly twenty years of graphic design experience from across various non-profit and commercial industries. They are eager to meet students at any level and share their love of Risography.
Masks are not required for this class at the time of this posting (but very welcome). We will update participants on health safety policies if necessary, prior to the class. We're continually evolviing to be as safe as possible for all participants.
*Due to the small nature of classes and the upfront materials costs, The Bindery has a no refunds or exchanges policy. If you cannot make it for some reason, please send a friend in your stead and let us know!
