1 Year Intaglio (Portfolio Course)

1 year course with Jemma Gunning

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Tuesday 23 September 2025 - 07 July 2026
9.30am - 12:30pm

This is a 1-year (30 week) course designed to give you a sustained and intensive period of study. It is an excellent opportunity to build a portfolio of work, to develop confidence and ideas in your own practice, and to learn new skills.

Course Outline
This year long portfolio course covers the breadth of intaglio printmaking using an etching press.

In the first term students will start with collagraph printmaking, then progress to drypoint on a variety of surfaces, finishing with monoprinting. You will be introduced to the tools and materials of intaglio and encouraged to explore their potential for making marks. You will also learn the fundamentals of inking, wiping and printing a plate.

The second term focuses on the basics of etching, using aluminium to explore hard ground, aquatint and spit bite methods.

The last term moves onto copper plate etching exploring additional processes such as, softground, open bite and multi-plate printing.

Course Objectives:
-Gain an understanding of the fundamentals of various intaglio printmaking techniques.
-Experiment with different substrates and etching methods.
-Incorporate colour inking and printing, and advanced methods.
-Develop a personal project with professional guidance.

The course will end with a personal project and an exhibition - a group show in the studio open to family and friends.

Jemma Gunning is an award-winning printmaker known for her intricate and evocative intaglio prints. Her work, characterised by themes of decay, changing environments and the passage of time, highlights the beauty in imperfection and overlooked details. With years of experience and numerous exhibitions, Jemma brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her teaching, inspiring students to explore the depths of intaglio printmaking. Jemma will be joined by George Hounsome who will teach collagraph. George is an established illustrator and printmaker with extensive teaching experience.

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