Large Lino Surface Etching

Join me and fellow printmaker Jenny Thomas for a weekend workshop designed to push your ambition and expertise in working with experimental Lino Etching techniques.

Location: West Yorkshire Print Workshop

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November 2025
10am – 4pm

Lino etching is a painterly technique, renowned for its gestural marks, subtle gradations of tone, and beautifully unpredictable textures. It can stand alone or be combined with traditional cutting and masking methods, allowing you to explore layering and more formal elements within your imagery. Due to the intricate details that can be achieved, the full impact of lino etching is best appreciated when printed at a larger scale. 

Over the course of the weekend, you will work on 30 x 30 cm lino blocks and also experiment with etching on alternative surfaces such as plywood using caustic soda paste.  

You will be supported and encouraged to experiment with multi-plate printing techniques, teaching you how to accurately register your blocks on the press. The workshop will also offer opportunities to experiment with paper stenciling and combine intaglio with relief printing to create striking monoprints. 

Day 1: 

• Experiment with various resists to build up layers of etching on your lino blocks. 

• Try etching on wood blocks with caustic soda paste, exploring the unique qualities of different surfaces. 

• Proof your block throughout the day (monochrome proofs). 

• An introduction to colour, multi-plate printing, and registration techniques toward the end of the day. 

Day 2: 

• Begin with an optional session to continue refining your blocks. 

• Focus on advanced printmaking techniques including ghost printing, paper stenciling, and combining intaglio with relief printing to create monoprints.

• Produce a selection of ‘final prints’ on high-quality Fabriano Rosaspina print paper.

This workshop is ideal for printmakers looking to elevate their practice through advanced techniques and creative experimentation. Perfect for those who have attended our popular ‘Introduction to Lino Etching’ course or have some experience in relief-based printmaking. This course is tailored to help you expand your skills, explore new processes, and push the boundaries of your creative practice.