Ref: SWE40030
Wood engraving is a relief printing medium executed on the end-grain of a piece of closely grained wood. With graver, spitsticker and scorper, white lines are engraved into the blackened surface of the uncut block, bringing light and texture of great richness and variety to the drawn-out design. Wood engraving can express fine detail and a great variety of textures on a small scale.
On this course, you will develop a design for an engraving, transfer the image onto an end-grain wood block, engrave and print.
By the end of the course, you will have developed your knowledge and understanding of how to transfer a design to an engraving, increased your understanding of the qualities of wood used and know how to print from a woodblock.
You need no previous experience of wood engraving, but some experience of drawing is helpful. Please do not buy any tools before the course; however, if you already have some at home, do bring them along with you. There are plenty of tools at the College for you to borrow during the course. You will be able to continue with engraving at home, as you will not require much space or elaborate equipment.
The College will provide a lemonwood end-grain block 3 x 4 inches (75mm x 100mm) and a small practice block, tools, printing ink, Quink ink, masking tape, parcel tape and chalk to be shared amongst the group. Some newsprint, printing paper and tracedown paper will also be provided. You can purchase more paper if required from the shop.
Available from shop:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
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.
Cathryn Kuhfeld is a painter & printmaker who completed her postgraduate studies at The Royal Academy Schools. She has exhibited regularly for over forty years, mainly in London. She has work in the collections of The Nuffield Foundation, Sir Brinsley Ford and HM The King. She is an elected member of The Society of Wood Engravers and also the Chelsea Art Society.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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