Gelatine printing plates have a sensitive surface that can be worked upon to make experimental monoprints on a variety of papers. It is a lovely medium for impromptu working and can be full of surprises! This one-day practical course will focus on the use of imprint, translucent colour and image transfer in a playful exploration of the medium.

Using a combination of water-based acrylic paint and printmaking inks, you will be introduced to some of the different techniques that can be used to build a series of printed images using the gelli-plate surface:

1. Using found materials: an inked -up gelli-plate can capture a good deal of textural information through imprinting ‘found’ materials that have interesting surfaces - pressed plant material or a torn piece of corrugated cardboard, for example, offers shape, texture and masking to the print.
2. Colour can be built up using translucent layers, in combination with imprints from found objects, and the use of impromptu masking techniques.
3. Drawn information using charcoal and frottage can be transferred into your prints.

Your tutor will give demonstrations of the various techniques, followed by short warm-up exercises before you go on to make your own test prints, building up a series as you develop your particular interests and ideas throughout the day.

Please feel free to bring your own ‘found’ materials for imprinting onto the plate (see ‘what students need to bring’ below) and wear old clothes as, although water-based, once dried the printing inks can be difficult to wash out.

Included

• On this course the tutor will supply some of the found materials and specialist paper.
• On this course the College will supply most of the materials, including printing paper, layout paper, charcoal, newsprint, a 1.5cm flat edged paintbrush, a pack of wipes and a water-soluble graphite stick per student and some inks, acrylic paints and mediums and cleaning materials to share amongst the group.

What students need to bring

• Collected plant material that has interesting shapes and surfaces i.e. pressed leaves, pressed flowers, grasses, etc.
• A collection of ‘found’ materials with interesting shapes and surfaces that can be pressed into an inked-up gelli-plate to make an imprint: for example, corrugated cardboard, sandpaper, old coins, supermarket fruit nets, etc.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Student registration: 10.30am - 11am
Course teaching: 11am – 5.15pm 
Morning session: 11am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions