About

This exciting low toxic one-day course will take you through the digital and analogue process of making a small edition of photogravure prints.

You will use pre prepared solar plates and film positives to produce your own photopolymer prints. After a short introduction, you will get to learn hands on how to exposing a test plate, before making two plates of your own in A5 to ink and print on the beautiful traditional etching press. This course is best suited for intermediate learners to explore and even try some experimental inking methods. All materials are provided, and correspondence with the tutor Bev Hayes will take place before the course start to prepare making the digital film in advance. By the end of the day you will cover all aspects of this alternative technique and create a small edition of prints.

Guest Tutor Bev Hayes is an artist and printmaker from UK, and now based and working from a print studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. She has been working with the method of Photopolymer Gravure for over 5 years and regularly runs short courses in this method and exhibits her work at Art Fairs and Exhibitions in Galleries local and Internationally. 

Workshop Description:  An Introduction to Photopolymer Etching. 

•   A taster, hands on session introduces correct exposure, developing and curing stages of a pre prepared Photopolymer Plate. 
•   All materials and equipment are included to make 1 - 2 Images. Maximum 2  - A5 Plates supplied. 
•   Due to time constraints you will be asked to supply a digital image of your choice, as a high quality image file, sent in advance to bevartinfo@icloud.com  Your film transparency will be printed ready to expose onto the plate. 
•   A short explanation of how the images are digitally editied will be supplied at the end of the session in a small booklet to take away.  
•   Learn how to ink and print your plate(s) on quality printmaking paper using a traditional Intaglio Press.
•   Pressing the prints dry to take away at the end of the session. 

Outcome: A step by step taster session to make Photopolymer Gravure Prints.

*IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION*

After booking, you must send a photo of the image/images you wish to use for the workshop to Bev by November 25th so she can pre-prepare your positives ahead of the workshop. 

• Images should be as high resolution as possible, and no bigger than A4. 
• Please send images to: bevhayes52@icloud.com with the email subject 'Photopolymer workshop image'

Schedule Breakdown:

11.00   Short Introduction with Photopolymer examples and tips about the digital editing part of the process. 

11.15   Exposing a test plate to learn time exposure  - Two stage, Aquatint and Film Positive. 

11.30  Exposing and developing your first and second plates. 

12.30  Drying and Curing Plates 

13.00  Lunch Break  (Bev takes 30 mins break, then 15 mins printing preparation )

13.45  Proof printing 1st  / 2nd plates  

14.45  Printing on good paper  (Chine Collé for advanced learners )

16.30  Discussing the results and cleaning up  

17.00  Finish  - Take Home a set of prints 

What happens after the course?

After you’ve completed your course, you are free to book into our open access printmaking studios. Your course acts as an induction but if you feel like you would benefit from more info about our studios before booking a session we offer free health & safety inductions, just email: ivy.m@thebluecoat.org.uk

We also offer a Bluecoat Artist Memberships scheme, which has lots of amazing perks for practicing and aspiring local printmakers. You can find out more information here: https://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/artist-membership

Got any questions?

If you have any questions about the course or our studios, please email: Ivy.m@thebluecoat.org.uk

You can also find out more information here: https://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/our-community/spaces/print-studio

Accessibility:

• The Bluecoat cafe and building floors are fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. 
• The print studios are not adapted for wheelchair users. If you would like to do a print workshop with us but are unsure about accessibility, please contact the Print Studio manager at: ivy.m@thebluecoat.org.uk

Getting here:

Bluecoat is located in Liverpool city centre and is easily accessible using public transport.

• The closest bus stop is Tesco Hanover Street
• The closest railway station is Liverpool Central Station

(Attendees must be 18+)

Location

Bluecoat Print Studios
The Bluecoat, 8 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX

Contact Event Organiser