What will I be doing?
The HAUSPRINT Etching Year is a unique opportunity to build your etching skills over the course of a year- it is designed to provide stable building blocks for your printmaking future, whatever your starting point. You will be guided through a programme delivered over three terms. In the first term, you will learn about plate preparation, hard and soft ground and aquatint, and how to ink and print your plates.
In term two, you will explore more advanced etching techniques and hone your printmaking skills, learning about paper and inks, exploring inking techniques for different results, and understanding how to print (edition) consistently to make prints that express your intentions.
In term three, you will work on a personal project for exhibition in the studio at the end of term. You will make a series of prints for display, working collaboratively with staff and students to plan and deliver your exhibition.
You will be encouraged to draw to build your confidence and explore and expand your ideas for making prints. There will be group discussion, group crit and one-to-one tutorial opportunities, which will focus on how to develop your work.
Concentrate on intaglio printmaking, on etching and related techniques. You will learn studio practice, technical know-how and health and safety alongside developing your work.
Who can join the course?
The course is suitable for complete beginners and more experienced printmakers who want to develop their etching skills and practice.
What will I be doing?
Weekly classes are delivered over three terms and include:
- Demonstration of techniques and many opportunities to recap and ask questions
- Learning about etching tools, materials, equipment, paper and inks
- Drawing exercises
- Self- directed time in class
- One-to-one and group discussions and tutorials
- One-to-one tutorial to support your personal project
- Referencing historical and contemporary artists’ prints
- Gallery and exhibition visits (outside class times)
- Confidence and skills building
About your tutor
Michelle Avison studied painting at the Slade School of Art in the late 1980s, going on to study Printmaking MA at Wimbledon School of Art. Michelle is an experienced artist educator committed to sharing her printmaking expertise and ideas. Michelle works across different printmaking techniques including etching, relief print, drypoint and monotype. She can be seen on the beach in Scotland and more recently the west coast of Wales, working directly on her plates in an immediate response to environment and weather.
Rob White is an artist printmaker who has over twenty years of experience working in the biggest print studios in London, firstly working at Thumbprint Editions on projects for Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn, Richard Deacon and many others.
Rob moved to Paupers Press where he’s worked on projects for Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin, The Chapman Brothers, Peter Blake and others. Alongside this Rob has worked with Tom Hammick on many print projects over the last twenty years. Rob works mainly in etching using techniques including sugar lift, spit bite, chine collé, working with multiple plates and colours.
What should I bring?
We will send information about the first session on enrolment.
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.