Lino Printed Landscape Workshop: Herts Open Studios

Lino Printed Landscape in Black, White and Colour – discover the tactile art of lino printing in this relaxed and informal workshop with Teresa West and create a selection of your own unique bespoke landscape prints. A wonderful intro for adults and anyone age 12+

In this workshop, as part of the Herts Visual Arts annual Open Studio exhibition Teresa West, a local printmaker will take your through the basics of printmaking to design and cut your own block, which will be used to print your landscape artwork. You will learn essential design and cutting techniques as well as printmaking.

Lino printing is a great way to experience the possibilities of printing in black and white and using different colouring techniques. The image is created on a piece of easy- to -cut lino using special tools  to make lines, shapes, patterns and textures.

When rollered over with black or dark ink, the surface of the lino appears as the dark inked area with the cutting being incised and appearing white. Using a simple X-cut press or small printing press, prints will be taken from the lino and developed in a number of ways. Altering the paper colour will give you different colored lines, altering the ink colour or grading it from dark to light can create dramatic landscape effects of distance and times of day. Playful use of coloured collage or application of the print onto magazine cuttings can lead to unexpected and colourful outcomes.

To start with, you will try out different mark making techniques on a small piece of lino, before rollering your trial design with black ink to  help you see different mark making effects.  

On a larger piece of lino you will draw out your design and cut the image creating lines, areas and textures.

Having rollered your lino with ink, you will be able to use a small press to transfer the image from the lino to paper. This is very much a trial stage in which you can alter the design if needed, alter the ink or alter the pressure on the press. Time and advice will be given to achieve a good print.

You will be able to take away with you a number of prints which you may like to frame or make into decorative cards or book marks.

All materials will be supplied. Lots of visual landscape resources will be supplied to aid and stimulate your designing. 

Please note that we will use oil based inks and some white spirit or similar. Aprons will be provided, but old clothes should be worn as well as protective gloves. Please let us know if you are allergic to certain protective gloves.