Express your visual voice through printmaking in a magical environment augmented with exploration of beautiful northern County Mayo in Ireland.

In this printmaking workshop, artists will explore and utilize various print processes including the following:

• Encaustic collograph: making printing plates from wax and acrylic.

• Carborundum prints: using silicon carbide grit to make rich tonal plates and prints.

• Drypoint: mark making on surfaces that will be reflected in the print process.

• Printing from cardboard and other found surfaces.

• Chine Colle: applying delicate Asian papers to support papers using the press.

• Monoprinting using water-based media.

While much technical information is covered in the class, the overall emphasis is using the processes to reflect each artist's personal vision. Workshop participants will create, build, and re-build printing surfaces and imagery to explore personal direction while at the same time stretching individual boundaries.

The class contains demos and talks discussing content and ideas as well as innovative ways of thinking and creating. Multiple creative exercises will be used to help students loosen up and focus. Several talks and videos will be presented discussing contemporary printmakers and how these artists fit into the larger art world. The class will also address ideas about how printmaking, sculpture and painting overlap.

Local field trips will be planned for the class. Trips include a guided archeological tour of a 5000 year old farm in the coastal village of Belderrig and exploring the beautiful landscape of Benwee head. We will also make printing plates in an off-site location that reflect the setting. The class is open to artists with no printmaking experience to advanced printmakers.

This Workshop takes place from the 28th September - 6th of October 2020. The cost is $1,850 which includes tuition, shared cottage with private bedroom for 8 nights, lunch/dinner/dessert/tea/coffee, collection/delivery to the bus/train stations in Ballina, full use of the Ballinglen Library & facilities 24/7. Participants arrive on the 28th and depart on the 6th (The workshop is for seven days with arrival and departure day making it nine days). Please contact Una Forde on unaforde.baf@gmail.com for availability and booking form.