Reduction Linocut (2day)

Description

Join printmaker Scarlette Averley for a two-day deep dive into the process of reduction linocut; a bold, layered approach to relief printing that allows you to create multi-coloured images using just a single block.

Over the course of the workshop, Scarlette will guide you through each stage of the reduction method: drafting and planning out your image, preparing your lino, carving in progressive layers, inking and overprinting, and using simple registration techniques to keep everything aligned. You’ll explore how this process can achieve anything from intricate detail to graphic, abstract imagery, giving you plenty of room to develop your own style.

Reduction printing can feel a little nerve-wracking at times – once you carve something away, there’s no going back! – but this course is designed to support you through each step, helping you embrace experimentation and those inevitable ‘happy accidents’.

Across the two days, we’ll cover the full process from start to finish, including carving, inking, printing, registration, colour planning, signing and editioning, with plenty of time to practise. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have printed your own multi-layer edition of finished reduction linoprints ready to take home with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to continue using this wonderfully adaptable technique.

Itinerary:

Day one: 

• Introduction to the technique and discussion around the imagery you have brought along for inspiration and set about creating your design, clearly mapping out the differently coloured areas and transferring your design to your lino block.
• Tea break
• Lino cutting demonstration followed by the cutting away of the first areas from your design.
• Registration plate and printing demonstration. Create your registration plate and print your first layer, you will print it several times to ensure you have enough duplicates to create a small edition of prints.
• Lunch break
• Marking out and cutting away the next part of your lino block.
• Printing the second layer on top of the prints you did earlier.
• Clean up and end discussion.

Day two:

• Marking out, cutting and printing as required for layer 3.
• The second day of the course has less of a group structure as you will all be more familiar with the recurrent process of marking out, cutting the lino and printing. Everyone will complete stages at different paces with your tutor always on hand to support.
• Scheduled check-ins to see how everyone is feeling about the process and answer any queries.
• Lunch break
• Marking out, cutting and printing as required for layer 4.
• Signing and editioning prints.
• Course round-up, overview of what has been covered, ideas for next steps and any questions.

What to bring/prepare:

Participants are encouraged to bring with them hard-copy sketches or photographs of things, people or places that interest them. These will be the inspiration for your prints. Ideally select an image that can be easily broken down into about four tonal / differently coloured areas, but if in doubt- just bring a selection of image options along.

We’ll be working with 30cm x 30cm lino blocks, so please keep that in mind when selecting imagery that can be suitably scaled. Be kind to yourself and try not to choose something with too many intricacies, particularly if this is your first experience of linocut!

Your tutor : Scarlette Averley

Born a Southerner, Scarlette has lived and worked in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, for the majority of her career. She is a studio-holder at West Yorkshire Print Workshop and an experienced printmaker and arts facilitator, working extensively in community and statutory settings. Her specialist area is the Reduction Lino Cut method of printmaking. Scarlette’s own practice is centered in ‘place’, exploring locations and buildings of personal significance or local interest. Use of colour is pivotal to her work and her palette tends to be bright, bold and whimsical, which reflects her relationship with and interpretations of her subjects. These dense layers of colour are achieved with heavy duty oil-based inks that leave a sheen or glossy finish on her prints. Scarlette’s pieces are always limited edition, original handmade prints, in varying edition sizes.

Experience level

This course is suitable for beginners as well as those looking to learn a new printmaking technique or who want a process refresher.

What’s included in this session?

All course prices include basic materials such as inks, paper, tools and equipment. Other materials and printmaking papers will be available to buy during the course if you would like to try something a bit different, or take some materials home to try out.

What’s next?

After attending this course you can join our workshop as a member and continue to use our facilities to make and develop your own work. The sooner the better, as the longer you leave it the more you are likely to forget! If you join up within one month of attending the course you will receive a £5 discount. Find out more about the benefits of membership here: https://www.wypw.org/shop/standard-membership/

Cancellation Policy:

• If you have to cancel:

If you are unable to attend your booked course, we may accept the fee paid as payment towards a place on the same or another course that takes place within the same financial year (running 1 April-31 March) following the originally booked event. Such a transfer will be on condition that we are informed in writing of your intentions four weeks prior to the originally booked event. Bookings can only be transferred once. If you are unable to attend, and not in a position either to transfer to another event, then the following charges will apply: Cancellation charges

• 16-12 weeks before the course: 50 % of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Less than 12 weeks before the course: 100% of the fee will be retained by WYPW
• Please note that full payment is required for non-attendance on a booking that has been transferred.

If you have any further questions about our cancellation policy, please contact us on info@wypw.org

• If we have to cancel:

West Yorkshire Print Workshop reserves the right to cancel or re-arrange courses if there are insufficient participants enrolled to run a viable course or for other unforeseen circumstances. We will do our best to give those who have already enrolled at least one weeks’ notice of cancellation. In such circumstances you will be offered a free transfer to another course date or a full refund of fees paid. By enrolling in our courses, participants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above. 

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