Taster classes
  
Our Introductory Taster classes give you the chance to try printmaking for the first time. We will show you some of the many ways there are to create wonderful images simply and easily with the support of a printmaking professional.

Low tech and no jargon, each class begins with a demonstration followed by an opportunity for everyone to get hands on and make something to take home in an afternoon.  We’ll even provide all the materials you need.

All for just £45/£35 concession per class.
Places are limited, please try to book as soon as you can.
A lunch break of approximately 1 hour is included in the timescale

Not sure which class to sign up for or just want to know more about how artists make original prints?  Sign up for one of our Rough-guide Tours to find out what is involved with each process and discover the difference between a lithograph and a collagraph!
Each tour lasts approximately two hours and gives you an opportunity to be guided through the studio looking at plates and prints from each of the main printmaking processes to give you an understanding of what is involved with each process.

Rough-guide Tours
Saturday 16 February 2 - 4pm
Saturday 23 August 2 - 4pm
(£10/£5 concession)

One-day taster classes (£45/ £35 concession)

Explore Screenprinting  
Saturday 23 February 11 - 4pm
Saturday 22 November 11 - 4pm

Woodcut Printing                                      
Saturday 23 February 11 - 4pm

Make a Precious Book                             
Saturday 1 March 11 - 4pm
Saturday 20 September 11 - 4pm

Explore Photopolymer                            
Saturday 15 March 11 - 4pm

Blue-printing with Cyanotype                
Saturday 22 March 11 - 4pm
Saturday 13 September 11 - 4pm

Print from a Collage                                  
Saturday 29 March 11 - 4pm
Saturday 4 October 11 - 4pm

Stone, Soap and Acid ~ Lithography Revealed                Saturday 3 May 11 - 4pm

Make a Unique Print with Monotype            
Saturday 31 May 11 - 4pm

Explore Photo litho 
Saturday 20 September 11 - 4pm

Drawing with Drypoint                             
Saturday 18 October 11 - 4pm

Due to the short duration of our taster classes, they are not intended as an access course to the studio. To gain access to the studio, an additional course or training may be required in some areas.

Alternatively, if you are keen to get started in the studio, sign up for one of our weekend or evening classes instead to gain access to the studio.

How to Book >

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Information on taster classes 2008

Explore Screenprinting
23 February 2008
22 November 2008
Saturday 11 – 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 6 people

Explore printing images in layers of colours, this direct immediate process can give you a wide range of results and is a lot of fun to work with! Bring along photographs or drawings and learn how to translate them into a screenprint.
(No previous experience required)

Woodcut printing
23 February 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 6 people

Explore ways of creating striking images with this simple yet powerful print medium process. Cutting images into wood or linoleum and inking up with colour can produce bold dramatic effects. This course will give you a taste of the diverse range of ways which artists use this direct process.
(No previous experience required)

Make a Precious Book
1 March 2008                      
20 September 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)

Class size: 8 people Make your own beautiful, precious and unique hand-made book. Using a mixture of basic bookmaking methods: a little embossing, a little transferring and a little painting all combined with simple book binding and folding techniques. (No previous experience required)

Explore Photopolymer                  
15 March 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 8 people

Produce truly stunning results with light sensitive plates: fast, safe and simple. Photopolymer printmaking is a revolutionary etching process as plates no longer need to be bitten in acid and images can be created from a wide variety of sources, from hand-drawn artwork or using photographic and digital techniques.  Find out about this new exciting process.
(No previous experience required)

Blue-printing with Cyanotype
22 March 2008        
13 September 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 8 people

The Cyanotype or ‘blue print’ is one of photography’s oldest printing methods. Reminiscent of the alchemists of yesteryear you can use a negative image on acetate, a drawing on tracing paper, or even real objects, to create a stunning image without a camera. (No previous experience required)

Print from a Collage
29 March 2008
4 October 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 8 people

A collagraph is a print taken from a collaged plate.  This course will explore making plates using different types of materials such as wallpaper, feathers, leaves, string, etc and sticking them down onto a piece of card which is then varnished.  When ready, the ‘plate’ is then inked up and printed onto paper creating rich textures and an embossed surface. (No previous experience required)

Stone, Soap and Acid: Lithography Revealed
3 May 2008 Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 6 people

Painting directly onto a lithographic stone with soap creates an immediate lithograph. Painting over the mark with acid, removes it. The rest is for exploration! Find out about this spontaneous kind of lithography and how to print from stone.
(No previous experience required)

Make a unique print with Monotype
31 May 2008 Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 8 people

Arguably the most spontaneous and low tech of all print types. The monoprint is always unique and can have hidden depths. Find out the variety of ways that artists have found to create monoprints. (No previous experience required)

Explore Photo litho
20 September 2008 Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 6 people

Photo litho plates can produce a wide range of detailed marks such as painterly washes, drawings or photographs. Find out how to expose images onto thes light sensitive plates and print in transparent and opaque colours, exploring the subtle layering of colour lithography.
(No previous experience required)

Drawing with Drypoint
Saturday 18 October 2008
Saturday 11 - 4pm
(£45/ £35 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 8 people Get into the groove! Draw with line on a prepared metal plate, and learn how to ink up and print the plate to produce a finished print. Find out how the deceptively simple process of drypoint can produce the most delicate and intricate line drawings. (No previous experience required)

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Other introductory courses

Introduction to Printmaking
26 & 27 April 2008
11 & 12 October 2008
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5.30pm
(£135/ £90 concession, includes materials)
Class size: 6 people

Have you always wanted to make prints but don’t know how to start?  This weekend course is for you: low tech and hands on you will get a sense of what it is like to make some prints using a variety of printmaking methods. (Total beginners especially welcome!)

Rough-Guide Tours
Saturday 16 February 2008 2 - 4pm
Saturday 23 August 2008 2 - 4pm
(£10/ £5 concession)
Tour size: 10 people

Not sure which class to sign up for or just want to know more about how artists make original prints?
Sign up for our rough guide tour to find out what is involved with each process and discover the difference between say a lithograph and a collagraph.

Each tour lasts approximately two hours and gives you an opportunity to be guided through the studio looking at plates and prints from each of the main printmaking processes to give you an understanding of what is involved with each process. (This relaxed demonstration course is suitable for everyone, artists, makers and print enthusiasts alike.)

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Making a Booking

To book a place on one of Edinburgh Printmakers’ (EP) education courses full payment must be made in advance. This is due to our courses being heavily subscribed. For further information on courses and how to book please contact enquiries@edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk or telephone 0131 557 2479.

Concessions

Concessions are given to: unemployed; students; senior citizens, and benefit claimants. Courses are for 16 years and upwards. To book as a concession you must provide proof of status.

Reservations

Reservations for courses are only available for participants from educational institutions and / or those who are seeking funding from third parties for course expenses. A reservation can be held for a maximum of one month prior to the course start date. 

Cancellation

Occasionally due to circumstances beyond our control EP may have to cancel courses and we reserve the right to do so with a minimum of one weeks notice prior to the start date. Full refunds will be given for any courses cancelled by EP.

Terms and conditions for refunds

For cancellation by course participants, full refunds will be given to those cancelling one month prior to the course start date. If cancellation notice is given two weeks prior to the course start date EP can only guarantee to refund 50% of the original cost of the course. No refund can be guaranteed if less notice is given. In this instance EP course fees may be refunded at EP’s discretion, only if we are able to fill your place. To help us do this it is important to let us know as soon as possible that you will be unable to attend.

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