Lino printmaking for beginners with Mary Dalton

Ref: SWE40018

Location: West Dean
£416

Places available

About this course

Explore the mark-making potential of lino through traditional tools and unusual approaches. You will be working in black and colour to help understand the layering potential of the medium.

Course Description

Aimed at those who have no, or exceptionally little, previous linocutting experience, you will be introduced to the medium of lino, starting with exploring the textures and marks that can be created on the surface, using both traditional cutting tools and a selection of unusual, non-traditional items. You will be encouraged to understand that lino can be an exceptionally fluid and responsive medium, alongside its more traditional graphic role.

You will work on traditional hessian backed lino, made from linseed oil and cork, as this offers the artist a greater range of mark-making options. For those with any strength difficulties when cutting the lino, a softer vinyl alternative is available, but this may restrict some of the marks you will explore. You will work in black to start with to establish your individual language, and then you will move on to basic colour work to allow a glimpse into the understanding and potential of layering.

By the end of the course, you should be equipped with enough information to confidently explore the medium in your own time, safely and expressively. The course will illustrate how lino need not just be for graphic arts, but can be incredibly flowing and intuitive, and has the potential to be both delicate and bold.

Course Materials

Included

On this course, the College will supply most of the materials, including inks, papers and lino. You are also provided with tools, rollers, presses, palette knives, inking surfaces and clean up supplies to use during the course.

What students need to bring

  • Any inspirational material if so desired (not compulsory)
  • Old clothing/apron
  • Any unusual sharp tools if you have any
  • Pens, pencils, scissors (basic pencil case items)

Available to buy

Available from shop:

  • A good variety of art materials are available to buy, including pens, pencils, scissors, pencil sharpeners, erasers and notepads.
  • Any extra lino, paper and inks are available, should you wish to purchase them.

Additional information

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

Timetable

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

General Information

Tutors

Mary Dalton

Mary trained at the Royal College of Art, graduating with an MFA in Printmaking. She has been teaching since 2008, including running the lithography studio at the famous Curwen. Her work is in the collections of the Imperial War Museum and the Tate Library as well as international museums.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options for art craft and design short courses

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.