This workshop supported the Ashdown Forest Conservators in work to protect and enhance Ashdown Forest for future generations. Thank you for coming!
Next workshop date: January 27th Walk Draw & Print your own sketchbook
Location: The Ashdown Forest Centre Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JP
10.30-4pm all materials & Forest parking included
Thank you to everyone who for joined us for a special day in October on the Ashdown Forest in Sussex; the morning was spent gathering inspiration on a rainy walk on the forest, with the leaves just tuning it was a unique experience exploring the Forest, gathering foraging fallen foliage for our printing experience with artist Catherine Greenwood.
Warming up with coffee in the barn, Catherine demonstrated how to carve a simple Lino print design and also how to use a gelli plate and natural mono-prints using several colours including russets and leafy green inspired by the autumn foliage.
(*For lino Printmaking notes please see below)
The afternoon was spent printing a unique set of 10 cards including leaf prints inspired by holly leaves, beech and heather plants, there were some beautiful deigns made.
Catherine guided individuals at each step of the way and encouraged experimentation printing with colour composition and texture.We spent an amazing day learning creative skills we enjoyed some special time on Ashdown Forest along with Lead Warden Kari, who gave us insights into the history and flora and fauna of the unique Forest habitat.
Catherine is a local contemporary artist specialising in Printmaking inspired by walking & drawing; she is an experienced art workshop leader and enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge and passion for nature with people of any age or ability. She has many years’ experience as an art walk leader on the South Downs and regularly teaches Printmaking in London, Brighton and from her own studio in West Hoathly, Sussex.
Catherine is a member of @wildernessartcollective whose mission is to connect people to nature through art. Follow her on social media @catherinegreenwood_ or subscribe to her newsletter www.catherinegreenwood.co.uk
Printmaking notes
Mini Lino kit bundle available from www.handprinted.com
Contact Catherine to send you a discount code https://www.catherinegreenwood.co.uk/contact
LINO PRINT EQUIPMENT
Lino soft cut or vinyl
Cutting tools : Abig tools or Pfiel or Japanese woodcut tools
Cutting mat /non slip mat
ruler
pencil, biro & sharpie
tracing paper & Tracedown
blank cards (available from Handprinted or Hobby craft)
Ink Cranfield safewash, Esdee block printing inks.
palette knife
hard rollers (blue)
acrylic plate for rolling out ink
newspaper
newspint
thin cartridge or copier paper, Japanese koso paper
rag, paper towel, wetwipes, water spray bottle, .
Prepare your image by drawing around your lino plate size. eg; 10 cm x 10cm
simple inspiration for our workshop came from drawing around a leaf and arranging it into a design by using tracing paper. Remember that images are in reverse when they print.
Think about the negative and positive areas; the positive areas will be ink and print and the negative areas remain white or the colour of your paper.
Transfer your design using Trace down having the carbon side in contact with the lino, a biro makes a good clear line.
Test out your tools on a scrap of lino, draw some straight lines curved lines, circles, dots, textures. Select smallest v-shape tool and an area on your lino which will not show if you make a mistake.
Carve a fine line around the outline of your drawing.
Make a rubbing of your plate onto thin paper like copier paper, you will see what is on your plate. Alternatively you can use an ink stamp pad to make a test print.
Use this rubbing or print to help you decide which areas to carve away as the negative space.
Inking: spread it a little with a pallet knife, then roll out your ink onto an acrylic sheet- listen for the hiss of ink finely rolled.
Roll an even layer onto your lino plate.
Create a registration template on copier paper or acetate (Draw around your paper or card size, place your plate onto this where you want your print to go- see example below)
Place this template on a clean area, fit your inked lino plate onto the template, place your card on top of the inked plate with the corners of the card fitting onto the registration template.
Lift slowly with clean fingers or using paper grips to avoid print speckling. If any speckles are in the print, you can touch them in with an inky finger.
12. Congratulations on your first print! You can ink up your plate again with a different colour or multiple colours, there are endless ways to embellish your prints with collage, paint, outliners, even goldleaf.
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