Learn the basics of woodcut image making in just a single day with master printer Rik Olson. In this 8-hour workshop, students will learn a brief history of international printmaking, dating back to the 1500s, working our way up to modern day relief printmaking. We will cover the basics in terms of what makes a good image for a woodcut, preparing your image for the block, transferring your design to the block, carving the image, and printing the block. Printing will be by hand and press.

Students are asked to come to the class with some ideas for what they would like to create for their woodcut print and simple designs are suggested, considering the time constraints. Within the time allotted, each student will work on one 8 x 8in block. The workshop will be broken up into three sections: drawing, carving, and printing. Demos will include drawing directly onto the woodblock and transferring drawings onto the block via an acetone transfer process. After the images are on the blocks, different carving techniques and styles of mark making will be shown. Reference prints and carvings will be provided by the instructor to use as a source of inspiration as students get started with their own woodblocks. We will provide 10 pieces of printmaking paper for each student's paper edition. 

Materials to bring: carving tools (you must bring your own, however there will be tools brought for sharing) several brands available, but recommended are the Berkeley Powergrip (best price for quality, available at Hida Tool at $7.50 per tool with suggested tools being v-gouge, u-gouge, flat knife (also available through woodcraft as a full set sharpening stone or slip strop (optional) for sale at art suppliers or www.woodcraft.com for $10 for keeping your tools sharp); extra paper for printing (sample sheets will be provided for each student).

Workshop + Materials Fee: $165.00

About the Instructor| Rik Olson

Rik Olson, a graduate of CCAC, learned wood-engraving from Barry Moser and John DePol, and is now an acknowledged master of the art. He has exhibited work widely in Europe and the U.S. For the past 40 years he has worked as a freelance illustrator.