Introduction to Printmaking

About

Designed for people who have little or no prior knowledge or experience of printmaking, this course will give you a taster of the variety of techniques and processes involved in making a hand-made print. Over 3 days, you will try your hand at the some of the key printmaking techniques offered and practised here at WYPW, including monoprint, drypoint, etching, linocut and screen print. By experimenting with different techniques, you will get a feel for which best suits you and your style of working, helping you to decide which you would like to practise and learn more of, with highly experienced tutors, in a professionally equipped environment.

You will be guided and encouraged by two experienced artists who use printmaking in their own art practice. Cath Brooke has been making prints since she was first hooked at an evening class at Leeds College of Art over 20 years ago. She has been facilitating community arts projects for many years including teaching print to beginners and those with experience. Her approach to producing prints starts with an idea developed from sketches, but then evolves as the process takes over and she responds to the unexpected marks and colours in each layer.

Neil Anderson worked in the commercial printing industry for over 25 years, and believes in learning the basics thoroughly then applying those in any way that fits with your personality and artistic ambitions. “There are no rules, printmaking is fundamentally the transferring of ink from one surface to another – you can be very precise with it or equally treat it in a very loose and free way. The main thing is that you learn, have fun and enjoy discovering printmaking’s huge potential.”