Monoprinting

As part of the Corban Art Centre’s School Holiday Programme, I delivered a one-day workshop with 6 – 12 year olds. We begun by looking at artist models Richard Killeen and Philip Taffee to give inspiration for making cut outs and printing with plants. We then drew or traced our favourite bugs, bees and butterflies and collected leaves and foliage on site which were then inked and printed, building up the layers, playing with positive and negative space.

Drypoint on Tetra Pak Prints

This workshop was developed for a group of 14 year olds as part of their art curriculum. Together we brainstormed the effects of climate change and plastic waste on the natural environment. Tetra Paks are non-recyclable due to the thin layer of plastic inside, so using them as a matrix was a perfect way to reuse single use plastics. Students used a craft knife, etching needle and sandpaper to create their images which they had transferred from their own drawings. Darker areas were created by removing the thin plastic lining with a craft knife. They finished off by covering the plate in a thin layer of shellac, to protect it before learning how to ink, wipe and print their plate using a printing press. As always, there was an element of surprise at the end result – that trash can be transformed into a beautiful piece of art!

Introduction to Woodblock Printmaking

I was invited to Mint Gallery to give a one day course on woodblock printing for a small group of adults. During the workshop participants learned the fundamental techniques for composing an image with a balance of light and dark areas, how to prepare and carve the block and the procedure for inking and printing. The participants started with a standard template to learn different mark making and visual techniques, followed by a second block where they developed their own subject matter, resulting is some fantastic work.

Cardboard Collagraph Prints

During this three day festival, visitors of all ages and abilities were able to design, create and print their very own relief prints. Participants were given a cardboard plate to attach their own cardboard cut-outs and other textured materials using a hot glue gun, then inked and printed using a small portable press.