On Sunday 9th September, I was lucky enough to pop in and help assist at a fantastic wood engraving workshop at Ochre Print Studio in Guildford delivered by printmaker Chris Pig. On this one-day course, Chris taught how to cut and print a wood engraving, with lots of tips and discussions along the way.
The workshop started with a brief talk introducing the technique, showing some exquisite examples of engravings and explaining how to use the various tools (spitstickers, scorpers and gravers) and what they are each for.
A week in advance of the course, each participant was sent a box wood block in the post and they had therefore prepared a design to the individual shape of the block that was then ready to transfer. After transferring designs, engraving, inking and printing using the lovely nipping press at Ochre began!
I must say that I was so impressed with the engravings done on the day and was thrilled that as well as assisting the participants and talking to Chris about the technique, I even had a few spare moments to make a small engraving myself (see image – is approx 1″ x 2″ in size)!
I think I am now hooked – thank you to both Chris and Ochre!
Ochre Print Studio run regular courses in relief printing, screenprinting, and other techniques, as well as regular master-classes from visiting artists and artists talks. To find out what else they have going on please visit: http://www.ochreprintstudio.co.uk/courses.html
To see some of Chris Pig’s work go to: http://www.chrispig.com/