Pattern & Print: Gelli-plate Meets Linocut
Pattern & Print: Gelli-plate Meets Linocut
Drawing skills are not essential.
Two techniques, two days, one growing pile of pattern to play with. This workshop brings gelli plate printing and linocut together, so each one feeds the other — and by the end, you'll have a body of work that's entirely your own to build on. You will be encouraged to explore mark making with linocuts first to build your mark making skills and then to make a small plate for the following day that follows a theme of your choice which you will caryy through to day two of gelli-plate printing, building up a stock of printed papers, marks and textures — that you can begin combining in ways you unexpected ways. It's playful, hands-on, and a great way to see how far a small set of simple techniques can stretch.
Dates
This weekend workshops:
April 10th and 11th, 10 AM - 16 PM
Will you be coming on your own, or bringing a friend (or friends)?
Mailing list discount
Subscribers get 10% off if they book before December 31st 2026. Book early if you want your preferred date, as places are limited to a maximum of four. Sign up here , then email me for your discount code before booking.
If this course dates don’t suit you get in touch to discuss options.
Format
This runs as a two-day workshop, structured to move you from mark-making through to combining techniques:
Day one, morning: linocut mark making, patterns and textures —
Day one, afternoon: applying the mornings explorations in a themed plate to carve out for the following day. We will make a start on gelli-plate printing so you have some prints to work with on day 2.
Day two, morning: blind embossed linocut with gelli-plate paper collage
Day two, afternoon: a variety of printmaking and gelli plate printing combining overprinting on gelli plate prints, collage, and simply printing your linocut,
Because the two days build on each other, this workshop is run over two full days rather than as a shorter session.
Please read the Booking and Cancellation Policy before you book.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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A hands-on introduction to linocut, built around exploration rather than a finished image. You'll try each blade in your set and see what marks, textures and patterns it naturally makes. From there, you can either keep exploring pattern for its own sake, or start bringing those marks together into a more traditional, recognisable image — whichever direction interests you.
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As well as cutting into a single block, you'll try making shaped plates — small cut-out forms you can use as stamps and over-print onto patterned backgrounds. It's a quick way to build up layered, textured compositions without needing to carve a large, detailed block.
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We work with Japanese vinyl rather than traditional lino. It's easier on the hands — a real benefit if you have arthritis or find hand-burnishing uncomfortable — while still taking a crisp, clean cut. You'll also get the chance to try your prints on the etching press, so you can compare hand-burnished and press-printed results side by side.
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This workshop is a foundation, not a ceiling. If gelli plate float your boat or lino cuts there are follow-up workshops you can do to explore each in more depth. Or , you can add extra days, allows you to explore:
Collage, combining printed and cut papers into layered compositions
Reduction linocut — a technique where you cut, print, then cut away more of the same block and print again in a different colour, repeating the process so each layer builds on the last. It's a way of creating multi-coloured prints from a single piece of lino, and a natural next step once you're comfortable with the blades.
Multi-plate printing
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One-to-one or small groups of up to 4 maximum, so there's plenty of individual attention and space to experiment.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COURSE FEE
The course fee covers the cost of inks and consumables including a basic paper allowance of 3- 4 quarter sheets per day.
You'll also get the chance to compare hand-burnished prints with prints made using the etching press.
See below about gelli plates, lino and carving tools
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Gelli plate printing and linocut can be done at home with very little equipment, which is why I wanted to offer them. They do need some kit, though, and gelli plates in particular aren’t cheap (although they do last for years if you look after them well).
Many of you may already have a plate or tools, and others will want to try a workshop before investing. So the fee is the same for every course, and you choose what suits you:
Bring your own gelli plate and/or lino cutting tools. For linocut, there’ll be a small extra charge for lino, depending on what you use and any extra you’d want to take home.
Make your own gelli plate. I’ll send you a recipe and instructions to bring with you.
Book your place and tell me what you need from the supply list I’ll send you. I can provide a starter kit:
Lino printing art gift box: approx £28 which includes:
Lino Cutter Set (2 Handles 6 Blades)
250ml Black Printing Ink Tube
Block Printing Lino Roller 60mm
2x Easy Cut Lino Block 150 x 100mm
Seawhite A5 All-Media Cartridge Paper Pad
Inking Surface
A5 Seawhite Storage Box
Or you can buy only what you need such as:
A5 lino (150 mm x 100 mm): approx £2.50 each
A5 Japanese vinyl (150 mm x 100 mm): approx £3.90 each
Gelli plate (6" x 6"): approx £19
4” roller: approx £8 each
You pay for anything you buy from me at the end of the course. It’s yours to take home, so you can keep printing at the kitchen table without needing a studio.
