Relief Printing at Home *FULLY BOOKED*

Printmaking is not just the straight-forward reproduction of an image, it is an engaging and absorbing process, an act of image making that can transform your ideas and drawings into something spectacular that can’t be replicated in any other medium. This online printmaking course will allow you to learn new and develop existing skills in printmaking and image making, while working at your own pace. You will be shown how to set up a small print space at home and we will recreate the social and community feel of an in-person class in our weekly live sessions through Zoom.  You won’t need to use a printmaking press for this course but there will be videos provided with extra tuition for how to incorporate the use of a press. 

Relief printmaking is the print process wherein the raised areas of the block are inked, this can either be achieved reductively, by carving away or additively by building up a surface. Linocut, woodcut and wood engraving fall into this category. Relief printing allows for seemingly simple marks, such as a few lines carved into lino, to become bold and impactful prints. Relief printing is undeniably one of the most exciting forms of printmaking when you realise that any relief surface can be transformed into your print block. In this course will be exploring reduction linocut, jigsaw cuts, using blends and monoprint and collagraph.

How it will work

Every Monday during the 4 week course you will be sent instructional videos explaining and demonstrating different relief techniques. You will be able to watch these videos and print-along with them at your own speed throughout the week. On Saturday of each week you will join a small online session on Zoom (max 8 students) where Scarlett will provide further live demonstration and you will be able to ask questions and share your successes and failures with the group. For the last week of the course you will be sent a bonus video with an advanced printmaking technique for you to try when you are feeling confident to; the materials for the bonus video are not provided but are easily sourced if you want to give it a try. Throughout the weeks you will also be able to email Scarlett for specific feedback on your prints.

Course timetable:

Week 0

Mon 8th March / 19:00-19:45 / A compulsory introduction for all students on Zoom

This will be a chance to get used to the format of the Zoom sessions and to ask questions about the materials, ensuring you are ready to start in time for the following week. Your box of materials will arrive this week in time for next week's course.

Week 1

Mon 15th March / Videos will be sent covering:

• Introduction to Relief print
• Registration & printing with a press
• Linocut & Reduction Lino

Sat 20th March / Choose from 10-12pm, 4-6pm / 2 hour Zoom workshop

Week 2

Mon 22nd March / A video will be sent covering:

• Monoprint, blends & Jigsaw cuts

Sat 27th March / Choose from 10-12pm, 4-6pm / 2 hour Zoom workshop

Week 3

Mon 29th March / A video will be sent covering:

• Card Collagraph printing

Sat 3rd April / Choose from 10-12pm, 4-6pm / 2 hour Zoom workshop

Week 4

Mon 5th April / Videos will be sent covering:

• Bringing everything together
• *Bonus video: Etched lino*

Sat 10th April / Choose from 10-12pm, 4-6pm / 2 hour Zoom workshop

Preparing for the Online Course

As part of the course you will receive a materials box including all the basic materials you will need for the course. You will need to source some equipment and materials yourself; the box also includes a special discount code that can be used at Handprinted.co.uk - these extra materials will cost no more than £25 and you may already have some at home. A week before the start of the course there will be a short Zoom meeting to introduce the course to everyone and familiarise yourself with the Zoom app, providing the opportunity for a Q&A about the course and materials you will be using and allowing you time to order materials before the course start date the following week.

What you will need for the online sessions:

• A tablet, smartphone or computer with a microphone & camera
• A free Zoom account - you can sign up to Zoom here.

Materials provided in the box & included in course cost:

• A5 Lino block x 3
• 2 pots relief ink. 
• ~A4 printmaking paper x 20
• A4 cartridge x 20
• Greyboard A4 + edges
• Greaseproof sheet ~A3
• 2 x A5 mount board

Extra materials that you will need to provide*:

• Roller
• (Desirable) Palette knife
• Rags/Kitchen towel
• Vegetable oil/Low Odour White spirit
• Carving tools
• Scalpel/craft knife
• Wooden spoon
• Paintbrush
• *Optional Extra for Gum Arabic Transfer: Caustic soda, Wallpaper paste, Paintbrush*

*Further details will be provided on booking

Please note: Delivery for the materials box is included for UK addresses. If you live outside of UK, there will be an additional postage cost - please email info@draw-brighton.co.uk if you live outside the UK and would like to join the course.