Woodcut Printing Masterclass with Merlyn Chesterman: Exploring the Process

The focus of this session is to learn the process of woodcut printing from start to finish, and is open to people of all abilities – from beginners to experienced printmakers. Even beginners can expect to come away with beautiful prints from the workshop.

Merlyn Chesterman RE is a local printmaker and fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, exhibiting around the UK and internationally, as well as a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Merlyn was brought up in Hong Kong, returning to England to study Fine Art at Bath Academy of Art, under Adrian Heath in the 1960s. She then lived, travelled and exhibited in Asia for many years, spending time in Bhutan, Kashmir, China and Thailand, followed by some years in Minnesota, USA.

Merlyn’s work is mostly about atmosphere – seeing and feeling what is around her. Driven by a sense of excitement, she works fundamentally at an abstract level with a secondary, literal surface. Themes include beauty, danger, remoteness, weather and mystery.

Shiko Munakata, the great Japanese woodblock artist, said: “I want to strip my work of effects, until it stands monolithic, based on reality and yet transcending it. It must flow naturally from my materials, from the way of the chisel and the way of the block. This is very difficult but it is the only way”.

Merlyn works with different woods, choosing boards for their particular character, and prints large prints on Okawara, Rives BFK and Somerset Satin. She uses oil-based, water-washable ink, often grading colour on the roller.

Breakdown of the workshop:

Aims

1. To introduce the student to the basic concepts of relief printmaking using wood.
2. To ensure that the student is familiar with the tools and materials involved in making woodcuts.
3. To enable the student to create successful black and white woodcuts by hand.

Objectives

1. How to use the tools and materials for woodcut prints in a free, purposeful manner.
2. To develop an artistic vocabulary within this medium that leads to a successful print.
3. To help every participant on this course experience confidence in making woodcut prints.

The Learning outcomes

1. The student will have the skills to cut a block with a degree of artistic control in black and white.
2. The student will have the knowledge to maintain and sharpen their tools. They will know how to select suitable blocks and paper for the purpose at hand.
3. The student will be able to make satisfying prints at home with minimal outlay.

All materials are provided. There will be a break for lunch. Hot drinks will be available, and there are plenty of food options locally to the gallery. Participants are also welcome to bring their own food.

Please note this workshop is taking place in our NEW venue at The Corn Store, part of Barnstaple’s Pannier Market. There is disabled access and disabled toilets. Barnstaple is served by a number of bus and train options, and there is parking close-by.

Host or Publisher Studio KIND.