22 & 23 June 2024 - Magpie Printmaking – Linocut and Botanical Monotype Artist Books - with Dr. Fenja T. Ringl

Course Brief Snapshot
In this weekend workshop, immerse yourself in the world of magpies (or other birds) and plants through printmaking and artist book assembly. Guided by avian and botanical themes, you will explore two printmaking techniques – linocut and gel plate botanical monoprinting – to create beautiful three-dimensional artist books from your artworks.

• Dates: 22 & 23 June 2024
  
• Days/Times: Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am - 4.30pm 
• Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith;
  free parking is available at either the front or both sides of the building.

About the workshop 

In this workshop, you will have access to NatureArt Lab’s printmaking tools and materials as you work in relief print (linocut) and botanical monotype under the guidance of a professional printmaker. On the first day, design and create bird linocuts from your existing drawings or photographs, learning about plate design, printing methods, and tool and equipment choices. The following morning, delve into the creative fun of botanical monoprinting using real plant specimens and gel plates, to create colourful and unique background images on which to print your linocut designs. Finally, cut up and assemble your artworks into sculptural and tactile ‘books’. At the end of the workshop you can expect to have produced two beautiful artist books made from professional printmaking paper, featuring your unique linocut and botanical designs.

Learning Outcomes 

• Learn how to develop and create printed images using positive and negative ‘space’, gaining experience with layering, composition and mark-making.
• Gain familiarity of materials and equipment used with each printmaking technique.
• Gain experience of the printmaking process, possibilities and limitations, through focused in-person study of the natural world, and through the translation of these characteristics in different printmaking techniques.
• Learn how to create a variety of artist book styles from your printed papers.

Practical sessions 

Each workshop day is dedicated to practical printmaking experience, with short intervals for planning and demonstrations.

Materials: 

A materials list will be sent out to students. The course includes $15.00 worth of materials; additional paper and plates can be purchased in class.

Level of workshop
Suitable for beginners.

About the tutor
Dr Fenja T. Ringl is a Canberra-based printmaker with a passion for nature-influenced art that reflects Australia’s unique ecological and cultural environments. With a professional background in archaeology, palaeo-ecology and science communication, Fenja draws inspiration from years of travelling and working across Australia’s diverse landscapes. Fenja initially explored printmaking as a way of interpreting the natural world while on fieldwork years ago, and has since developed printmaking into a full-time occupation/obsession.