Course Content: Join us for a day of Mushroom-inspired Jigsaw Lino Printmaking! On this course you will learn this innovative technique that will allow you to create bold, multi-coloured prints in a single run through the printing press.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands on experience with our A3 Printing press, with expert guidance from both Ellie and Paul, while learning about one of their favourite natural forms – Fungi!

We will start our day with a Mindful Photography walk to forage for fungus in the Hurtwood Forest and gather inspiration from our surroundings. We will then take the time to guide you through the process of Jigsaw Lino Printing, using several lino pieces that fit together, allowing you to turn your designs into your own unique and intricate prints with just one pull of the press!

Develop your confidence in the medium by pulling proofs and exploring the range of outcomes available through different mark- making, colour mixing and inking techniques.

This full day course is beginner friendly and ideal for anyone looking to develop their Lino Printing practice and learn new tricks! .

All materials and light refreshments are included.

What’s included in this course?

• A chance to explore the Surrey Hills at a time when the Woodland Mushrooms are in full bloom.

• Hurtwood forest is a 4 minute walk from Peaslake Village Hall - please wear appropriate footwear / clothing for a walk.

• Expert tuition from two experienced Artist-teachers with technical guidance / support throughout the day - no prior experience needed

• All materials and equipment will be provided on the day

• Light refreshments included - tea, coffee and biscuits available all day.

• We’ll take a break for lunch - you’re welcome to bring your own or book in for a pub lunch next door!

Booking information

Peaslake Village Hall will be our base for the day - a warm and inviting space to create that is surrounded by the Hurtwood forests! Bring along your phone / digital camera so you can take lots of photos to inspire your printmaking! Full booking terms and conditions are here.

Course Content: We’ll begin our day with a Mindful Photography walk through the woods at Leith Hill - where Ellie will offer guidance on how to ‘tune in’ to our surroundings, using photography as a way of scanning the woodland for colours and textures to inspire our print-making later in the day. After our walk we’ll head to Leith Hill tower for a nice cuppa and settle down for a beginner-kind drawing session with Ellie.

After taking time to connect to our surroundings we will then begin to translate your sketches and photographs into dry-point etching plates. We will take the time to go through the process with you, developing your confidence with this medium – pulling proofs and expanding your vocabulary of marks using etching needles, sandpaper, and the ink itself with selective wiping techniques.

Finally, we will introduce Chine collé, where you can add colour and pattern to your prints using tissue papers, collaging into the surface, and exploring the wide variety of prints that one plate can produce.

A great opportunity to use our A3 etching press in person and on location with expert guidance from Ellie and Paul. Beginner-friendly and ideal for those seeking to explore a printmaking process to develop sketches inspired by this stunning natural landscape into unique and exciting prints. 

What’s included in this course?

• A unique chance to immerse yourself in the landscape at Leith Hill at a venue that is nestled in the heart of this stunning setting.

• Expert tuition from two experienced Artist-teachers with technical guidance / support throughout the day - no prior experience needed

• All materials and equipment will be provided on the day

• Light refreshments included - tea, coffee and biscuits available all day

• We’ll take a break for lunch - you’re welcome to bring your own to eat at the Coldharbour Cricket Club or pop down to the The Plough Inn which is a 5 minute walk from the course venue.