Ref: SWE35717
Wood engraving is a relief printing medium executed on the end-grain of a piece of closely grained wood. With graver, spitsticker and scorper, white lines are engraved into the blackened surface of the uncut block, bringing light and texture of great richness and variety to the drawn-out design. Wood engraving can express fine detail and a great variety of textures on a small scale.
On this course, you will develop a design for an engraving, transfer the image onto an end-grain wood block, engrave and print.
By the end of the course, you will have developed your knowledge and understanding of how to transfer a design to an engraving, increased your understanding of the qualities of wood used and know how to print from a woodblock.
You need no previous experience of wood engraving, but some experience of drawing is helpful. Please do not buy any tools before the course; however, if you already have some at home, do bring them along with you. There are plenty of tools at the College for you to borrow during the course. You will be able to continue with engraving at home, as you will not require much space or elaborate equipment.
The College will provide a lemonwood end-grain block 3 x 4 inches (75mm x 100mm) and a small practice block, tools, printing ink, Quink ink, masking tape, parcel tape and chalk to be shared amongst the group. Some newsprint, printing paper and tracedown paper will also be provided. You can purchase more paper if required from the shop.
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials, including sketchbooks, tracing paper, pencils and additional printing paper Tools: some tools are for sale in the College Shop, but all tools are available on loan from the College, and you are strongly advised not to buy any tools before the course.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
Cathryn Kuhfeld is a painter & printmaker who completed her postgraduate studies at The Royal Academy Schools. She has exhibited regularly for over forty years, mainly in London. She has work in the collections of The Nuffield Foundation, Sir Brinsley Ford and HRH The Prince of Wales. She is an elected member of The Society of Wood Engravers.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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