Drypoint Etching: Introductory Workshop with Jo Lankester

May Month of Learning is an initiative of the City Libraries, Townsville City Council. Brush & Press Studio has being involved in the program of events for the past three years introducing printmaking to a whole new audience. This introductory class celebrated my first printmaking workshop in our new print studio at Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts. 

 

The workshop was a lot of fun and we produced some lovely delicate drypoints on plastic etching plates using sandpaper and drypoint tools.

Drypoint Etching -A printmaking technique of the intaglio family, in which an image is incised into the plate with a sharp metal or diamond tipped tool. Traditionally the plate used was copper, but now plastic drypoint plates, zinc, aluminium & Perspex are commonly used. Drypoint is an easy printmaking technique to learn for its immediacy and similarities to drawing, the technique of using a drypoint needle is like using a pencil. Through scratching the plate a line and bur is created to hold ink.

Valerie Stevens, Sylvia Hewitt, Richard Free, Jo Lankester & Colin Giardina Photography by Angela Chueng

Jo Lankester demonstrating inking a plate with card. Photography by Angela Chueng

Sylvia Hewitt. Photography by Angela Chueng

 Photography by Angela Chueng

If you would like to try something new come along to our next printmaking class and discover the art of Relief Printing

Linocut: A printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller (called a brayer), and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press.
What to bring: Any drawings, pictures or found object which may inspire you. Enclosed shoes must be worn at all times, and lunch.

Date: Thursday 9th May
Time: 10am - 3pm
Where: Umbrella Studio 482 Flinders St, Townsville, Qld 4812
Cost: $75