7 and 21 September 2024: Nature Inspired Linocut Printmaking on Porcelain with Dr Fenja T Ringl

Design and create your own unique set of porcelain jewellery pieces or a miniature print edition by combining linocut printmaking with porcelain in this nature-inspired workshop.

Details

• Date: 7 & 21 September 2024 
• Days/Times: Saturdays, 9.30am - 4.30pm
• Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

About the course/workshop

In this workshop, Fenja shares her unique blend of linocut printmaking and ceramics techniques to guide you through the process of creating beautiful lino-embossed porcelain art. You will create five to six small pieces of wearable porcelain art (brooches, pendants, earrings) or around three miniature artworks ready to hang on the wall (c. 8 x 8 cm).

On the first day, begin by transferring your nature-inspired motif to a Japanese vinyl ‘lino’ plate, and carve the design to create a linocut that best suits the embossing technique. Then roll out thin slabs of porcelain, emboss your design into the soft clay, and shape your pieces. Add vibrant colours before and/or after bisque firing.

Two weeks later, return to the studio  to polish your bisque fired pieces and to add colours and glaze coats depending on the look you desire. The pieces will then be ready for their second and final kiln firing.

Your finished artworks will be ready to collect around three weeks after the conclusion of the workshop.

Learning Outcomes

• Experience the process of transforming your nature-inspired design into a linocut block, which you will emboss into clay. Paint and polish your pieces by hand between two kiln firings.
• Learn how to develop and create hand printed images using positive and negative ‘space’ for mark-making on Japanese vinyl.
• Learn how to prepare and work with clay to emboss your lino design and shape your pieces.
• Learn about ceramic colouring techniques, further refining of your clay pieces between kiln firings to create striking, colourful artworks.
• In addition to your porcelain pieces, take home your linocut plate with which you can further experiment for paper and air-drying clay printing.

Practical sessions

The workshop is dedicated to practical printmaking experience, with short intervals for technique introductions and demonstrations. The workshop includes access to the NatureArt Lab specimen collection.

Prerequisite/level: Suitable for beginners, but some lino carving experience is recommended.

Materials: This workshop is a combination of supplied materials and BYO materials.  The materials provided have been factored into the course cost. The remaining items required are easily acquired and inexpensive and the list will be sent to students upon enrolment.  Please check your junk and spam inboxes so you don't miss our emails.

Class Size:  The class size is strictly limited to 10 students.  

Administration: There is free parking available onsite as well as a Cafe located a short walk away.  All students are requested to bring their own drinks/beverages (or purchase from the shop).

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 many years ago, and has since developed her passion into a full-time printmaking occupation/obsession.

NatureArt Lab Awards:

• 2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT
• 2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT

Please contact us if you have any questions at: info@natureartlab.com.au 

Image Credit:  by Dr. Fenja T. Ringl