CHRISTMAS CARD PRINTING 1 Day:  11.30 - 5.30 pm

5 spaces remaining

Christmas Card Printing Special

A workshop for all abilities, focussed on Christmas card printing - featuring metallic inks and coloured paper. Design a card you love and print your heart out with endless combinations of inks and paper!

Make your own handprinted Christmas cards, using linocut techniques! You will be working on one 10x10cm square card design, and I will guide you through all the steps from planning, transferring, carving and proofing, to printing your design. You'll be in the friendly environment of my kitchen studio, with tea/coffee and biscuits/mince pies provided to fuel your festive creativity. My kitchen studio can accommodate up to 5 people, and group bookings are very welcome. [If you have a larger group and a venue, I can run this workshop off-site - use the contact me form to get in touch!]

I have vintage books and illustrations for inspiration, but please feel free to bring along your own sketches. You will be working with traditional art linoleum, professional carving tools, handprinting tools, a Victorian cast-iron printing press and modern lever-type presses. There will be coloured paper for printing, and the metallic inks are going to come out to add some extra sparkle to your cards!

You will make several prints of your design, and the course includes 10 card blanks and envelopes so you can assemble your own Christmas cards at home once your prints have dried. You will also be able to use your carved lino block to hand print more cards at home. * your prints will likely take a few days to dry thoroughly, as we will be working with professional oil-based inks. I will wrap them securely in tissue paper and provide instructions on drying at home*

No printmaking experience is required, and people of all ages and artistic abilities are welcome. Even if you think you can't draw, you WILL be able to print!  I can adapt my course for family groups with older children and special educational needs. If you have any access needs, please do contact me and I will do my best to adapt my equipment to your requirements. All materials provided, but please note that I don't supply any tools to take home.

What this course includes: 

• friendly tuition in a small- group environment
• all materials needed to make at least 10 hand printed cards
• tea, coffee and biscuits / mince pies throughout the workshop
• 10 Kraft card blanks to mount your best prints on
• an information sheet on good basic linocut equipment and suppliers

What to bring: 

• Please wear old clothes that you don't mind getting inky (or an old apron).
• You may wish to bring a packed lunch - fridge / microwave / cutlery can be provided. 
• You are very welcome to bring your own designs / sketches - simple black & white images work best. 
• If you already own carving tools you can bring these along if you want to learn new skills with familiar tools.

Location:  central Maidstone, Kent
Parking: Free parking on the road (please allow time to find parking spaces).  
Refreshments: Tea / coffee / biscuits provided throughout the workshop. Please bring your own lunch.