Learn the basics and more on the 2 day lino etching weekend!

2 days of experimental and playful printmaking

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October 2026, 10am – 4pm

Join me and fellow printmaker Jenny Thomas on our introduction to lino etching weekend course for a full weekend of exploring this exciting technique.

Over the course of the two days you will investigate ways of working with lino blocks and a caustic soda paste to bring textural qualities to relief printed images. Lino etching is a very painterly technique, capable of producing gestural marks, gradations of tone, and beautiful unpredictable textures. It can be used stand alone or combined with traditional cutting and masking methods to explore layering and more structural qualities within the image. 

On day one you will have the opportunity to see examples of Jenny’s work using lino-etching, along with test blocks and proofs, to give you an idea of the wide variety of materials which can be used to manipulate the etching process. You will then be taken through the basic techniques for etching lino with caustic soda, including the direct application of the caustic paste using brushes, and the use of the various materials / substances which will resist the etch, (known as ‘stop-outs’). Lines can be incised into the stop-out materials using an etching needle. These lines will print white. The lino can be etched many times to build up layers of tone. 

You can experiment with the possibilities, and proof the results, before planning your final piece. You will each have 6 x 15 x 15cm lino blocks to work with during the course. 

On the second day we will work together on your final piece and print the blocks on good quality paper using our platen press. You may wish to prepare a second colour block – overprinting is quick using the ‘wet on wet’ printing process.