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 workshop seeks to answer those questions for makers, artists, writers, and zinesters alike.
Students will 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 for future projects.
- Ten custom, two-color, 11x17 prints of their own design.
With a class size limited to just five students, this experience is built to be safe and highly personalized. Instructors Diana and Ben of BEARBEAR will be hands-on with each student to help prepare their art, 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. *Masks are required per the current City of Milwaukee Mask Mandate*
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.
