Gisborne Printmakers to host beginner workshop on relief printing

A printmaking workshop for beginners is being held at Lysnar House in Stout St this Saturday.

A printmaking workshop for beginners is an excellent way to learn the basics, says Gisborne Printmakers founding member Jean Johnston.

Johnston will take the day-long class on Saturday, at which she will introduce people to the age-old process of printmaking.

She will begin by explaining the various tools such as printing plate, roller and ink needed to do relief printing using a found object.

This involves painting a piece of card with ink before adding the object, covering in paper and then running it through the press. Once this is complete, new layers can be added, resulting in a multi-layered print.

“We will start by experimenting in the morning using various found objects and in the afternoon, I will supply better quality card for the participants to create a multi-layered art print,” Johnston said.

One of the oldest printmaking groups in New Zealand, Gisborne Printmakers began in 1976 and works out of Lysnar House in Stout St.

The group owns two presses —an Italian Bendini and a Japanese press — and supplies tools and materials.

It meets once a month and members are encouraged to submit work for the annual Gisborne Artists’ Society mid-year exhibition.

The group uses a wide range of print processes and encourages a friendly, collaborative sharing of skills.

People are encouraged to do an introductory printmaking course before joining.

The next workshop will be an introduction to etching by Gisborne printmaker Teressa Matthews on April 4.