This course focuses on photomechanical techniques in printmaking, combining photosensitive emulsion and plates with intaglio printing. You will learn to expose and develop autographic (drawn and painted) and digitally generated/photographic images with both different types of plates. Throughout the course we will be talking through your ideas gaining the understanding of your individual creative process in order to maximise your ability to produce more technically advanced and developed artwork. During the second half of the course you will plan a self-led project using both technical and conceptual ideas to produce a small finished print edition.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn about different book structures and binding techniques, while incorporating reduction linocut and multi-plate woodcut prints. You’ll learn how to use basic booking tools to create leporello (concertina), stab-binding and single-section binding book structures, and gain a contextual understanding with a visit to Tate Britain’s Artist Book Collection.

This course is aimed at students who are near to completing the BA/FD or Certificate programme, or recent graduates who want to continue their studies in a supported but more self-directed environment. It meets an identified demand from students who have already undertaken a number of other print courses to continue to receive a high level of technical tutoring without having to repeat skills courses they have already completed. Each student therefore proposes their own 10 week project. A maximum of ten students are in each class, individually tutored by Katherine Jones. Projects may be research based, including investigating colour printing techniques or subject based, e.g. developing a single edition or a series of prints based on a particular theme. The tutor will respond to your ideas and develop a programme of study tailored to your needs. They will work with you to overcome technical challenges and provide friendly constructive feedback throughout. The aim is to enable students to produce a sustained major project which helps develop their individual artistic practice.