What will I be doing?

In Black & White Aquatint: Scraping Through Darkness, you will dive into an etching experiment over three mornings. Using aquatint and resists (varnish, sharpie, litho crayon), you will build bold black shapes, then remove darkness by scraping and burnishing. Discover etching as a collaborator—embrace accidents and dialogue with the plate over three inventive, image-making sessions at HAUSPRINT.

Learning Objectives

You will

• Understand how to apply aquatint successfully and how to ‘stop-out’ using using multiple resists
• Develop imagery through scraping and burnishing
• Explore etching as a process-driven form of idea generation
• Embrace chance, error, and experimentation in image-making

Session Breakdown

Day 1 – Creating Darkness

• Introduction and workshop timeline
• Plate preparation and aquatint application, etching different tones using various resists (varnish, sharpie, litho crayon)
• Etching and printing first proof
• Reflection and discussion results and potential imagery going forwards

Day 2 – Carving Light

• Scraping and burnishing the aquatinted plate
• Iterative proofing and development
• Focus on emerging imagery and drawing with tools
• Aim for finished print by end of session

Day 3 – Exploration

• Open session for reworking, refining, reinventing
• Continued proofing and experimentation
• Group discussion and informal critique to finish

About your tutor

Boris Kwok is a printmaker and sculptor based in London whose practice explores repression, myth, and the human condition through experimental printmaking processes. A graduate of Camberwell College of Arts, Boris works across etching, aquatint, and plaster-based casting, often blending print and sculpture into one language. He has exhibited at Bankside Gallery, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, and Bainbridge Open. Alongside his studio practice, Boris teaches workshops that focus on process, chance, and dialogue with materials—helping participants discover printmaking as both technique and philosophy.

What should I bring?

Materials to Bring

• Sketchbook
• Drawing tools (pencils, sharpie or marker)
• Paintbrushes
• Optional: wax or litho crayons
• Ink-friendly clothing
• Etching plate is available to buy, or you may want to bring your own supply (A5)

Provided by HAUSPRINT

All acids, tools, cleaning materials, varnishes etc are included in the course fee. You will need to buy etching plate which is £10.20 A5 size.

You may want to bring your own etching tools, including a scraper/ burnisher if you have them.

Our south London printmaking studio in Stockwell has a small kitchen with a microwave and fridge, plates, cutlery and mugs. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Getting to HAUSPRINT