Linocut and Letterpress workshop in Italy

April 12, 2014

This summer I’m running another linocut and letterpress workshop in Italy. Set in a stunning medieval castle, Opificio della Rosa is a low environmental impact printmaking studio run by my friend Umberto Giovannini. Each summer the studio hosts a number of visiting artists who come to teach various printmaking processes, including woodcut and copper engraving.

The studio also has an extensive collection of wooden type, which is the inspiration for my workshop. The emphasis is on experimentation and combining linocut elements with letterpress to create hybrid designs.

The course lasts for six days. The first two days are a chance to learn the basics of linocut and to have a go at printing with the type. This is really about playing with different colours, textures, compositions and so on.

On day three students present their chosen narrative. This can be a story, poem, song or other text. The narrative is the starting point for creating a short book, which will be developed and printed over the remaining days. At the end of the workshop students should have at least one finished copy of their book to take home and one to donate to the Opificio della Rosa archive.

The workshop is suitable for beginners and those with some printmaking experience.

Please note: this course does not cover proper typesetting. If you’re interested in learning this check out Anonima Impressori’s workshop in May. We are also running an Adana letterpress workshop at Hello Print Studio in Margate on 7th June.

Linocut and Letterpress workshop
31 July – 5 August
Opificio della Rosa, Montefiore Conca, Italy
375 euro / 325 euro under 26 and students

For more information and how to book, visit the Opificio della Rosa website.