Let's take a wander through the meadow and allow the little pleasures around us to stop us in our tracks to draw, using an array of drawing materials including charcoal made on the meadow. Away from the constraints of the daily graft, we'll exercise how we look at parts of the natural landscape as well as ourselves within it.
With a little forage and a little fire we'll then have some lunch together ready for our plate marking and printing.
Drypoint etching is an intaglio printmaking technique that allows for intricate and expressive mark making in an immediate yet surprising way! You may not quite know how each print will reveal itself, even from the very same plate. This process is well suited for beginners and seasoned printmakers alike, as the mark making possibilities on the plate surface are endless but always looks pleasing even with simple line work.
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WHO
You'll be guided by me, Rosie a professional artist of eleven years and with that, an etcher for 11 years too! I studied Drawing and Applied Arts (fine art) BAhons degree at UWE where I first learnt the process and have been working with this process ever since. Although I usually use acid etched copper plates more than drypoint myself... Questions about printmaking from paper registration to framing, selling and keeping creative are encouraged! I've also been a life drawing teacher in Bristol for the last two years and have drawn my entire life and now I practice as a full time artist. I'm hoping to introduce various different drawing approaches in our drawing walk, and we will have the opportunity to cook up our own drawing charcoal on the fire.
ITINERARY (May be revised closer to the event date)
• 10:00 - Arrive to site, settle in and get ready with our materials to get drawing around the meadow and to the castle if we want to.
• 12:30 - Get our food ready and on the fire to eat for 13:00. Option to join in on the charcoal burn too.
• 13:30 - Etching Plate prep
• 14:15 - Printing - I'll demonstrate the key inking process for students to come to the presses when they're ready.
• 16:00 - Clean up & goodbyes
KEY INFO
• Choice of 2x plates, 2 inch square and/or A6, tetra-pak or plastic
• We'll be working with water based etching inks - aprons will be available when inking but it would be advised to wear messy clothes
• Leave the workshop with at least 4x prints and 2x printing plates
• There will be two presses and two inking stations available for use throughout the afternoon
• We will be working with various sharp tools for mark-making so this class is recommended for ages 14+
• The class will be max. 15 with Rosie McLay and Lottie Jones guiding you in the class.
• Lunch will be provided- it will be a big, home cooked tasty vegetable stew with the option to make our own flatbreads and focaccia with additional bits we'll have foraged.
VENUE & TRAVEL
Weir Holm Meadow is a beautiful outdoor workspace right next to Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire, largely focusing on Forest Schooling with Children but are also building an amazing timetable of workshops and events for adults too.
We'll be working either in the barns or outdoors in the field, weather depending.
There is parking just outside the venue but it's limited on site. This info will be confirmed closer to the time but if you have access needs you can let me know.
Skenfrith is around a 1 hour drive from Bristol - lift sharing can be arranged prior to the event if there's demand! I'll check in wither everyone prior to the event about lift sharing needs. You can get the train to Abergavenny or a bus from Monmouth to Broad Oak (where you'd need a lift or it's a 30 minute walk). More Specific travel information will be available closer to the event.
TICKETS
• £70 per person with limited concession tickets available
• Fee covers all drawing and printing materials, lunch and the class. Please bring a hardback sketchbook and your favourite/essential drawing tools too though.
• The class will be max. 15 with Rosie McLay and Lottie Jones guiding you in the class.
BRINGING STUFF
• If you have preferred drawing tools, sketchbooks and imagery you want to draw from for printing, please bring them!
• Wear messy clothes and walking boots
• Bring your swimsuit in case the weather persuades us to swim!
Any questions please contact Rosie on Facebook or email rosiemclay@gmail.com