Woodcut and Relief Printmaking

About

22 - 24 August 2022
Monday to Wednesday, 10 am - 4 pm, three days
Nottingham Trent University
£390

This course is an exploration in the oldest form of printmaking.

You'll explore traditional relief printmaking techniques whilst researching, designing and creating your own contemporary artworks.

On this course, you'll start with simple drawing exercises and then transform these into a unique and personal collection of meaningful prints.

You'll be encouraged to assemble images and identify your own subject matter, developing your personal approach to woodcut and printmaking.

You'll then further your drawings and subject matter further, simplifying them into shapes suitable for woodcut that suggest tone and fine details.

You'll use a variety of tools and materials to explore the character of the wood, exploring its unique qualities to make thoughtful marks and images.

You'll learn how to carve out your design using traditional woodcut tools.

The practical activities and project work will be supported by demonstrations of techniques and useful group critiques.

During the course you will:

- be introduced to the history of woodcut from European to Japanese styles through to contemporary approaches used by artists today
- complete a range of drawing exercises and develop them into woodcut designs
- begin to familiarise yourself with the woodcut materials and tools
- transfer your design or image to wood
- practise cutting techniques, exploring mark making to creating texture
- experiment with water-based inks
- explore traditional and contemporary papers
- print a series of images and, if you're feeling brave, reduce your woodblock for further prints.

You'll be encouraged to further develop your woodcut prints by continuing to work into the print with other media, responding to the design and marks made during the printing process.

What will I gain?

You'll leave this course with a series of prints on paper and your woodblock to keep for further printmaking.

You'll have developed an understanding of how to compose and transfer and images for relief printmaking and a greater awareness of your own creativity.

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: No previous experience is necessary.

The course is aimed at anyone interested in drawing and printmaking.

You could be a complete beginner or you may have previously tried printmaking and are looking to try something a little different.

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the Nottingham Trent University City Campus.

You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.

You'll also have access to the NTU library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can't reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Tutor Profile: Andrew North is an internationally recognised artist and is a specialist in relief printing woodcut, with over twelve years of experience. He graduated from the Glasgow School of Art and is a Royal Scottish Academy Prize winner.