Drypoint Etching and Tetra Pak Printing - Beeston Library - Adult Learning

The Drypoint Etching and Tetra pak printing course is an ideal introduction for anyone wanting to explore these two intaglio printmaking techniques, (where the ink is applied to the plate, rubbed in and gently wiped back to reveal the image, then printed). We will initially make and print tetra pak plates as they are a great gateway to the drypoint etching process. With both techniques you will explore line, tone and markmaking to create your own imagery.

During the course you will work from selected source material for both processes (either from drawings or photographs).

Initially you will make a range of your own tetra pak plates from drinks packaging, experimenting with using drawn (scribed) lines and cut out areas (tone) to create an image, which you will print in black and white and colour onto paper.

You will then progress on to use these skills to make drypoint etchings, using scribed marks and lines and tools to add tone and texture, which you will then print onto paper.

You can also extend prints by experimenting with the chine colle process.

You will learn and explore these processes through looking at and discussing other printmakers work and by demonstrations, personal experimentation and individual tuition on how to make and print your tetra paks and drypoint etching plates.

By the end of the course everyone will have produced good quality, finished prints to mount and exhibit, sell or to give as gifts. You will be able to:

• Discuss and analyse how other printmakers have explored the tetra pak and drypoint etching process.

• Use visual source material to create ideas and imagery for tetra pak plates and drypoint etching plates.

• Use markmaking, line and texture to create effective tetra pak and drypoint etching plates.

• Mix and use water soluble etching inks to print tetra pak and drypoint etching plates effectively and safely onto paper.

• Experiment with the chine colle process to develop creative tetra pak and drypoint etchings.

• Use vocational language and terminology effectively to discuss and explain your work.

You will need:

• An apron or big shirt

• Pencil, rubber

• A chunky nail

• Scalpel and cutting mat (if you have them)

• A4 cartridge paper pad Rowney Daler

• 1 sheet (fabriano rosapina-cheap)

• Disposable gloves (like surgical gloves)

• Clean tetra pak cartons

Suggested reading:

Etching : an artist's guide / Ann Norfield. Library catalogue.

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

• Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire)

or

• Live outside the devolved areas listed below

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• North East Combined Authority

• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

• Tees Valley Combined Authority

• West Midlands Combined Authority

• West of England Combined Authority

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Hull and East Yorkshire

• Greater Lincolnshire

• Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

• Cornwall Council

• Lancashire Combined County Authority

• Buckinghamshire Council

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

• Your visa must last until after your course ends.

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.

• You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.