Workshops
Our etching or wood/lino printmaking workshops offer small groups of artists tuition and technical support as well as full use of our studio facilities.
We hold 2 day printmaking workshops in the spring, summer and autumn covering either etching or wood/lino cutting. Workshops are held on different days in small groups using our well equipped studio at Bothy Yard so there is plenty of space to work and lots of help if needed. The tutors are experienced teachers as well as practicing artists and they provide valuable instruction to all, tailored to each individual whatever their previous experience.
Our workshops are suitable for complete printmaking beginners who have an interest in creativity or for those with some printmaking experience who want to improve their skills.
If you would like to be notified of any future workshop dates as soon as they are released, please subscribe to our email list (see below).
WORKSHOPS 2027
Thanks to everybody who came to our workshops
in 2026. Our tutors are now having a rest until
Spring 2027 when they will start again.
We are planning to run workshops in the spring,
summer and autumn of 2027. Dates for spring and
summer will be released just after our winter show
finishes at the beginning of December 2026.
Etching Workshops
Two days – 9.30am until 4.30pm (approx.) with a break for lunch.
What to expect:
We will cover hard and soft ground etching plus aquatint over the 2 days and how to prepare a zinc plate for etching. For those who have had some etching experience, there will be the opportunity to develop their skills with an experienced tutor on hand.
You will be guided through the different processes to develop your own ideas into an etching. Inspiration can be based on a sketch, photograph or an abstract idea so bring any source material with you. Also pencil, rubber and paper are useful but all other materials will be supplied.
You can expect to take home at least one etching plate completed during the time plus some prints, of course. The size of each plate can be of any dimension up to a maximum of A4.
What’s included:
Help and guidance from our experienced tutors.
All reasonable amounts of materials are included (but there may be a charge for extra use of paper or zinc plates).
Tea, coffee and biscuits.
What to bring:
Source material including photos, sketches etc
Lunch
What to wear:
Either an apron, overalls or old clothes (printmaking can get messy!)
For health and safety reasons – no open-toed shoes or sandals please.
Woodcut or linocut (relief) workshops
Two days – 9.30am until 4.30pm (approx.) with a break for lunch.
What to expect:
This is a hands-on course for beginners and improvers to learn how to produce a relief print using wood or lino. We look at the different types of tools and ways of cutting that make varied marks and textures that will give your image both style and substance. You will be able to print both monochrome and coloured images (up to 4 colours).
The tutors are there to help and guide you so that you can try different colour combinations in order to experiment and push to get a really pleasing print. Anyone who is keen can try the reduction process will need to come with a design and be ready to get printing quickly, but there are other exciting ways to print and incorporate colour too.
Please come with a design drawn out or a photo so that you are ready to make the most of your time. We have lino blocks 200 x 300 mm and wood up to 210 x 300 mm (A4). The size you can reasonably tackle will depend on the complexity of your design. Beginners are advised not to try anything too large or complicated at first! You won’t want to spend all the time cutting. Leave plenty of time for printing and trying some colour techniques. These two days really do fly by!
What’s included:
Help and guidance from our experienced tutors
Lino or woodblock up to A4
Inks, cleaning materials, paper and tools
Tea, coffee and biscuits
What to bring:
Source material including photos, sketches etc
A prepared image/design preferably traced at the required size ready to transfer onto your printing block
Lunch
What to wear:
Either an apron, overalls or old clothes (printmaking can get messy!)
Sensible, comfortable shoes – no open-toed shoes
General workshop info
How to get here:
The workshops are held at 4 Bothy Yard, Sudbourne Park, IP12 2AJ. Look out for the entrance marked Sudbourne Park at the B1084 crossroads near Orford and follow the long driveway down the slope and turn right to pass the big urns on your left. Bothy Yard is the first left past the garages, near the walled garden. Parking is in Bothy Yard, on the right hand side as you go in. For a map, see our Contact page.
Cancellation Policy
You can change your mind at any time before payment. We will notify you when the full fee is due approximately 8 weeks before the workshop. Once your fee has been paid a refund will only be due if we are able to find somebody to take your place. If the cancellation is very close to the workshop we offer it at a slightly reduced price and your refund will reflect that. All refunds are subject to a £10 admin fee.
