Lino Reduction Printmaking Workshop

Lino Reduction Printmaking Workshop with Jenny Mason-Gunning ARBSA.

This workshop will teach participants lino reduction plate making and printing, exploring multi-layer colour techniques, using safe, professional methods suitable for home or studio practice.

Learners will develop the ability to carve multiple layers from a single lino block, understanding how to plan and sequence colours, register each layers accurately, ink and roll consistently, and print both by hand and using a press. You will gain confidence in controlling colour, details, and alignment across several print stages.

Age group and abilities to be taught        

• 18 years and above
• Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

• Gain a clear understanding of the full reduction printing process, design, block preparation, multi-layer printing
• Explore tools, carving techniques, safe handling, ink mixing, rolling methods, professional registration systems using pins and tabs to maintain accurate alignment
• How to produce a small edition
• Gain the knowledge and confidence to continue lino reduction at home either using hand printing or a press

Course outline

Morning activity 

• Short demonstration and talk on reduction linocut, tools, inks, papers, registration
• Demonstration of designing and carving the first layer of the lino block
• Participants will begin carving their own lino block and preparing the first colour layer

Afternoon activity

• Demonstration of inking, rolling, registration pins/tabs, printing the first colour
• Participants will print their first layer by hand and on the press, then carve and print subsequent layers
• Final prints completed, with guidance on sequencing, troubleshooting, and how to continue working at home

What you need to bring with you:

• A selection of drawings or photographs to be developed into a reduction linocut
• An apron
• Marigold or nitrile gloves
• A pack of baby wipes
• Students may also bring their own registration pins if they already use this system at home

What we will provide:

• Lino blocks for reduction printing
• Water-washable and oil-based inks
• Rollers
• Printing paper
• Newsprint
• Lino carving tools
• Registration pins and tabs (available to use during the workshop, learners may purchase these if they wish to take them home)
• Examples of tutor’s work
• Etching press and blankets, plus hand-printing barens
• Nitrile gloves
• Scrim and muslin
• Cotton buds
• Ink scrapers and palette knives
• Paper fingers
• A copy of the tutor’s forthcoming book for reference

Please note that a press will be available during the workshop, but participants will also be shown hand-printing methods so they can continue working confidently from home. Registration pins used in the workshop are chargeable if students wish to take them home. Students are welcome to bring their own registration pins or use the tutor’s, both the tutor’s own brand and Ternes Burton systems can be discussed.

Methods of assessing outcomes

• Ongoing individual feedback from the tutor, observation of practical work, informal group discussion
• Learners will review their prints at each stage of the process with guidance on refining technique, understanding, and evaluating their progress

Booking information

• To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
• Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
• Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
• All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
• Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
• A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

• If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
• Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
• In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
• If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

• We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
• The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards). 

Other information

• The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
• Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
• Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
• Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
• The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
• If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.