Beginning Wood Engraving
March 1 @ 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
$322.00A 2-Day Workshop Intensive!
Saturday–Sunday, March 1-2, 10:30am-4pm
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About this Workshop:
In this two-day workshop students will be guided into the wonderfully detailed world of wood engraving. Wood engraving uses wood cut across the grain rather than parallel to it (like in wood cuts) resulting in a hardness and durability of the blocks that allow for the tiniest of details to be cut and printed.
Day 1: We will dive into a brief history of wood engraving, and learn the basic tools and techniques. Students will start with a small sampler block, proof it, and start working on their first engraving.
Day 2: Students will learn how to sharpen their gravers, and continue to work on their blocks. We will learn how to set a block on a press, set-up registration, ink the block, and troubleshoot issues when printing. Tips on how to print on different kinds of presses, by hand, and how to source and use alternative materials will also be provided.
Note: Students should not expect to edition their blocks during class, but everyone will get press time to proof and practice printing.
Wood engraving is a versatile form of printmaking, taking up very little space and minimal equipment, perfect for a home studio. Students will leave the workshop with the skills to create intricate prints, basic tools, and a block to edition.
Level: Beginner – no previous experience necessary!
Registration closes February 12, 2025. Material fees are included with your registration to cover the supplies provided in class. Students will need to gather/purchase additional materials for class (see the materials list below). This list will also be provided with the registration confirmation email.
Engraving sample images by Mirka Hokkanen
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration includes a $33 materials fee to cover consumable materials provided in class, including maple wood blocks, ink, printmaking paper, and newsprint among other supplies. Students will need to purchase/gather additional materials of their own, including:
- Ideas or a sketch for an engraving that fits in a 3”x4″ space
- 1 Elliptic Tint Tool #6
- 1 Square Burin #4
- (optional) Personal apron (we’ll have extras) or wear clothes that can get inky
- (optional) Personal pencil, pen, thin marker you’d prefer to use over the classroom set
- (optional) Sketchbook and/or notebook to work out ideas and/or take notes
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American freelance illustrator, author, and printmaker. She moved to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Rockford College in Illinois (BFA 2002). She then received both Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Fine Arts (2006) degrees in printmaking from University of Dallas, TX. As a military spouse and almost a dozen moves into her career, Mirka has had the opportunity to be an active part in many art communities, teaching, speaking, and organizing events. Her nature themed art has won awards and been shown in galleries around the world. She currently sits on the board of the Wood Engravers Network and is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Maryland chapter. Learn more about her work at www.mirkah.com.