Course overview

This four-week long after-school art club invites kids to explore the creative world of linocut printmaking through the lens of black-and-white photography. Inspired by the natural forms in Imogen Cunningham’s still life photographs, participants will create their own photomontage compositions, transform them into linocut designs, and learn the art of carving and printing.

Each week builds on the last, guiding children through the process from design to the final print. By the end of the course, they’ll have a collection of their own unique prints and the skills to continue exploring printmaking on their own.

Week one — photomontage composition

• Introduction: brief overview Imogen Cunningham's black-and-white photography and her focus on natural and organic forms.

• Activity: children will select photocopied print-outs of Imogen Cunningham's photography works, cut out elements of these photos, and reassemble them to create their own unique photomontage compositions.

• Goal: by the end of the session, each child will have a completed photomontage, ready to be used as the base for their linocut design.

Week two — tracing & transferring

• Introduction: discussion on how to translate a photomontage into a linocut design.

• Activity: the children will trace their photomontage compositions onto tracing paper, carefully outlining the main shapes and forms focusing on positive and negative space.

• Transferring: they will transfer their traced designs onto a piece of lino by rubbing the back of the tracing paper to create an impression.

• Goal: by the end of the session, each child will have their composition successfully transferred onto their lino block.

Week three — gauging & carving

• Introduction: explanation of the basics of carving techniques and how to safely use lino tools.

• Activity: children will begin to gouge out the areas of their lino that will remain white in the final print, leaving the black shapes intact to capture the ink.

• Goal: by the end of this session, each child will have created a linocut plate, ready for inking and printing.

Week four — inking & printing

• Introduction: brief demonstration of inking techniques and how to prepare the lino block for printing.

• Activity: the children will roll ink onto their lino cuts and pull their first prints, experimenting with colour and pressure to achieve different effects.

• Reflection: group discussion and sharing of each child's final prints.

• Goal: by the end of the final session, each child will have a small collection of prints and their own linocut block to take home.

This course is designed to provide a hands-on exploration of both composition and the printmaking process, guiding children from the initial design to the final print in a supportive and creative environment.

Details

Duration: 4 sessions

Tuesdays, 5pm—6.30pm
12 November—3 December

All necessary materials provided

Fees

€70

For parents/guardians on no or low incomes we offer two places at zero cost. Please email us directly should you wish to apply. No questions asked.

Photo credit:  Imogen Cunningham. Glacial Lily. 1927