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Solar Plate Using the Sun

£80.00

This course is now full. You may contact us to discuss alternative courses or be added to the waiting list in case of cancellations.

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Location Leicester Print Workshop
Date & Time Saturday 4th September 
10.00am - 5.00pm
Tutor  Susie Turner 

This practical one-day workshop in Solar Plate will introduce participants to a new form of printmaking for artists that is simple, safe, time effective and versatile. Solar Plate describes the process of printing with light sensitive plates that have been exposed to sunlight or an artificial source of UV light and then developed in water.

Hand drawn originals, photographs and the direct use of plant material can be transferred into original fine art prints. The technique is easy to learn making the course suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with experience of printmaking.

Course Structure

At the start of this workshop participants will be introduced to the technique of Solar Plate and have the opportunity to view examples of original prints and plates made using the process. Participants will learn how to prepare and select suitable artwork for Solar Plate.

During the morning the tutor will demonstrate how to make a test plate suitable for intaglio and relief using both daylight (weather permitting) and a contained exposure unit. After a break, participants will make at least one A5 size Solar Plate, using their own prepared artwork or pressed foliage. Participants will learn how to develop a plate suitable for both relief and intaglio. Plates will then be post exposed and hardened ready for printing using sunlight or a portable contained exposure unit.

After lunch, the tutor will demonstrate how to ink up and print a Solar Plate. Participants will be shown how to ink up using a number of colours, a la poupée, and the tutor will demonstrate how to accurately print using multiple plates, on an etching press. Participants will have opportunity to experiment with colour, inking techniques and multiple plate printing.

At the end of the workshop, participants will be encouraged to share their prints and give each other feedback.

About the Tutor

Susie Turner works as a visual artist and educator with a specialism in Fine Art printmaking. She graduated in Fine Art Printmaking From Cambridge School of Art and gained an MA in Visual Arts / Printmaking at Camberwell College of Art. Much of Susie’s artistic practice is inspired by the transient state of nature, patterns of growth and decay and the interdependency of people and nature. The local natural landscape is a constant source of visual ideas and Susie often works directly with existing material, ‘found’ and ‘made’, that has the potential to change state over time or bears visual reminders of past activity.

Over the last fifteen years Susie has helped raise the profile of print as a medium for learning by sharing her skills and knowledge with a wide range of learners. Within her own practice, Susie is keen to combine traditional methods of making with contemporary techniques. This has led her to explore the potential of Printmaking with Photopolymer Plates / Solar Plate and photogenic drawing. Both methods of making allow direct engagement with nature, versatility in image making and offer accuracy in capturing detail.

Susie regularly exhibits and sells her work locally and nationally. Recent exhibitions include Plantlife at the Fen Ditton Gallery, Time, at the Literary and Scientific Institute, Highgate, London, Closer to Nature at Printroom, Leicester Print Workshop, Natural Forms at Gallery 57, the Art of Caring at St Pancras and St Georges Hospitals, 50 Years of Printmakers Council at Ashgate Gallery, and LOOP at Bankside Gallery, London. Susie has work in collections at the V&A Print Archive department, Printmakers Council Archive, Scarborough Museum and Gallery Trust and at Nuffield Health, Cambridge Hospital.

www.susieturner.com

Images by Susie Turner 

Leicester Print Workshop 

Leicester Print Workshop is the regional development centre for printmaking. Established by artists in 1986, we are a registered charity, supported by Arts Council England. Our RIBA award-winning building is situated in Leicester City Centre's Cultural Quarter and is home to a large, well equipped open access Printmaking Studio.

We have over 30 years’ experience of teaching people printmaking. Our programme offers the largest number and broadest range of printmaking courses in the region, with courses suitable for beginners as well as experienced printmakers, delivered by practicing artists and nationally renowned tutors. Participants learn in small and friendly groups in our purpose-designed studio.

Bookings

Online: You can book online here by credit / debit card or Paypal.

Telephone: You can pay by card over the phone during our opening hours (Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm). Call us on 0116 251 4174.

In person: Call in to Leicester Print Workshop during our opening hours (Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm) to book and pay by card, cash or cheque.

Pre-course information: We will send you details of how to find us and what to bring with you when we process your booking. 

Concessions

Full-Print Members of Leicester Print Workshop are entitled to a 10% discount on our inhouse courses. Interested in joining LPW as a member? Click here for more information.