Experimental Printmaking

What You’ll Explore 

Week 1 – Monoprinting 
Start your printmaking journey with this expressive and accessible technique. Explore colour, mark-making, layering, and texture to create vibrant one-off prints. 

Week 2 – Collagraph Printing 
Build your own textured printing plates using a variety of materials and discover different approaches to inking and printing for unique and surprising results. 

Week 3 – Drypoint Printing 
Create detailed images using line and tone, before inking and printing your own drypoint plate. 

Week 4 – Lino Printing 
Explore the popular art of relief printing. Develop a design, learn safe carving techniques, and produce striking lino prints using professional printmaking methods. 

Week 5 – Creative Print Development 
Bring everything together. Develop your favourite techniques, combine processes, finish earlier work or pursue your own project with support from your tutor.

This course is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to those with previous printmaking experience. If you’re new to printmaking, you’ll be introduced to a range of techniques and processes in a supportive and welcoming environment. If you already have experience, you’ll have the opportunity to extend your skills, explore new approaches, and develop your own creative projects. 

Each week starts with a tutor demonstration of a new technique, followed by plenty of time to practise, experiment and ask questions. Your tutor will give you one-to-one guidance and feedback, helping you develop your confidence and your own creative style while building a portfolio of original prints. 

Working alongside fellow learners in a relaxed, friendly studio environment, you’ll draw inspiration from shared ideas and experiences while enjoying the rewarding process of creating your own hand-printed artwork. By the end of the five weeks, you’ll have explored several exciting printmaking techniques and produced a collection of unique prints to take home.

Basic printmaking materials and equipment are provided. If you’d like to work on your own projects, you’re welcome to bring extra materials, with your tutor’s approval. Please note that oil-based products are not permitted. 

You’re also encouraged to bring sketchbooks, photographs, drawings or other visual references as starting points for your prints. Don’t worry if you’re starting from scratch, as your tutor will help you find ideas. 

Printmaking can be messy, so wear old clothes or bring an apron. Some techniques use sharp tools, and your tutor will give you full safety guidance. 

For health and safety reasons, you must wear low, closed-toe shoes in the studio. High heels, sandals and open-toe shoes are not permitted. 

Want to go further? Continue your creative journey with one of our other adult art courses at Reading College. We have something for every interest.