PRINT CLUB - Monoprint and Relief with water-based Inks.

6 week evening course

A weekly gathering for enthusiastic printmakers, this group offers a supportive environment to develop your own print projects with access to shared equipment and technical guidance.

Techniques covered - Monoprint and Relief with water-based Inks. Level - Intermediate

Each week will be a mix of focused time on a specific technique (see the course breakdown for more on this) alongside plenty of space to experiment, take creative risks, and progress your own ideas. The emphasis here is on the versatile water-based, non-toxic techniques of monoprinting and relief printing.

The atmosphere is informal and encouraging, making it an ideal place to learn, share, and grow your print practice together.

Course breakdown

Week 1-2 Painting with print.

Using water based inks and a combination of additive and subtractive techniques, we will explore the joyful process of Monoprinting. If you love drawing or painting but struggle to know how to translate ideas to print then this is handy way of bridging the gap.

The spontaneous technique encourages a loose approach and the results are always unexpected and often delightful, you can use it to unlock your ideas, test composition and colour or think of them as works in their own right. No carving or planning involved.

Painting and drawing directly onto a plastic or metal plate with brushes, rollers and other less typical tools we will then use the etching and proofing presses as well as hand burnishing techniques to explore the wide range of different qualities and results possible.

Week 3-4 Relief- Multiblock, reduction, jigsaw.

In contrast to monoprinting relief is a satisfyingly bold and impactful technique, the possibilities are many and varied. We will cover some of the more and less obvious ways of working with lino and wood depending on your material preference.

If building a print with multiple layers and colours is of interest then multiblock, reduction and jigsaw all offer something unique. Whether you want to learn how to print a subtle wood grain, or a three colour lino print, or both together then we can cover how.

We will apply the simple japanese ‘Kento’ registration technique and learn about its origins and how to make your own handy ‘floating kento’ registration plate.

There will be the option to pull a small edition, using the beautiful old Hopkinson platen press and hand burnishing tools.

Week 4-5 Combine techniques and experiment

The last two weeks will be for building confidence and focusing on what you have enjoyed from previous weeks or attempting to combine techniques to see how they can compliment each other and push your own creative boundaries.

There will be plenty of Tea.

All materials will be provided, please wear suitable clothes or bring your own apron.

The etching facilities will not be in use during this time, only the techniques and equipment mentioned will be available. We will be working with water-based inks and non-toxic cleaning methods.

Additional materials may be available to buy from the tutor or the art shop next door. We limit our course numbers to 6 - in order for you to get the most from our tutors and the facilities.

Terms and Conditions:

Bookings are only confirmed on receipt of the full cost of the course. We reserve the right to cancel the course at a weeks notice if there are less than 4 participants booked.

Please note
We will not be liable for any childcare, travel or accommodation fees lost due to cancellation by us.

Cancellation Policy:

The sum of £50, will be lost If you cancel at short notice (less than 2 weeks before the course start). If your place cannot be filled, no monies will be returned. Please note that it is necessary for tutors to be passed your e-mail address for the purpose of running the workshop, please see our privacy policy. For further information please email us on info@gpchq.co.uk

PRINT CLUB - Monoprint and Relief with Philippa Thomas