Woodblock and lino printmaking: large-scale projects

About this course

The course explores woodcut and linocut alongside related printmaking approaches, including silkscreen, monoprinting and laser cutting. Participants will develop imagery on a relief block, considering how line and tone can be used in the final print. Demonstrations cover image transfer, suitable inks and papers, cutting and etching, proofing, and printing either with a relief press or by hand burnishing. Discussion of historical and contemporary artists provides context for combining techniques and questioning conventional approaches to printmaking. Learners apply the processes to their own ideas and imagery, recording procedures as they work.

What you'll learn

• Prepare source imagery for transfer to wood and lino blocks
• Identify the basic tools used to cut relief blocks
• Cut designs using line and tone for relief printing
• Prepare ink for relief printing
• Print wood or lino blocks by hand burnishing
• Use a relief press to print wood or lino blocks

Is this course right for you?

The course is aimed at beginners to intermediate learners, with teaching that combines demonstrations, individual application and group discussion. Participants should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, including health and safety guidance, and use numbers for simple measurements and calculations.

• Learners are invited to contribute to group discussion
• The course involves developing personal imagery from sketches, photographs or other visual references

Before you go

• Basic materials, including inks, standard-quality paper and communal workshop sundries, are covered by the course fee.
• Participants should bring sketches, photographs or other visual resources to use as starting points.