Linocut: Principles of linocut design and printing with Jennifer De Goursat

Workshop 1: Carving Lino – From Design to Cut

Thursday 5th February 1030am - 1.30pm

Overview:
This hands-on session introduces participants to the tactile art of lino carving, from material selection to safe, confident cutting. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to refresh their skills.

Topics Covered:

• Types of lino:
  Traditional battleship grey vs. soft-cut vs. vinyl alternatives; pros and cons for fine detail, texture, and ease of cutting.

• Tools required:
  Overview of lino cutters (V and U gouges), handles, safety cutters, bench hooks(discuss what this is), and sharpening methods.

• Designing your image:
  How to simplify a design for carving; using contrast, negative space, and bold shapes.

• Transferring the image:
  Tracing paper, carbon paper, and direct drawing; handling mirror reversal and composition planning.

• Cutting techniques:
  Direction of cut, pressure control, line width variation, cross-hatching for tone, and safe tool handling.

• Practical:
  Carving a small design ready for printing in Workshop 2.

Workshop 2: Lino Printing – Ink, Tools, and Technique

Thursday 12th February 1030am - 1.30pm

Overview:
This session focuses on transforming carved lino blocks into finished prints through professional inking and printing techniques.

Topics Covered:

• Ink types:
  Water-based vs. oil-based inks; drying times, cleanup, and print quality differences.

• Printing tools:
  Brayers (rollers), barens, wooden spoons, glass plates, palette knives, and press options.

• Materials:
  Recommended printing papers (e.g., Japanese, cartridge, recycled), newsprint for proofs, and fabric options.

• Setting up a simple registration:
  How to align multi-colour or repeated prints with registration sheets or corner guides.

• Techniques:
  Rolling ink evenly, adjusting ink viscosity, pressure consistency, and layering effects.

• Practical:
  Printing your lino design on paper, experimenting with single-colour and layered prints.

Workshop 3: Creative Applications – Beyond the Print

Thursday 19th February 1030am - 1.30pm

Overview:
Participants expand their creativity by exploring multiple uses for their lino prints, blending printing with mixed-media applications.

Topics Covered:

• Building on carving and printing:
  Refining blocks for second editions, overprinting, and experimenting with texture.

• Creative applications:
  Card making: Creating small edition greeting cards and gift tags.
  Framed art: Matting and presenting prints professionally.
  Fabric printing: Using textile inks for tote bags, scarves, and cushions.
  Collage and mixed media: Combining prints with painting, drawing, or monoprints for layered artworks.

• Presentation and finishing:
  Signing editions, numbering, mounting, and care of prints and tools.

• Practical:
  Participants design a mini-series of prints using their carved block, experimenting with surface, colour, and format.

Book your place here: https://www.trybooking.com/DIAFQ

3 X Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th February 2026 10.30am- 1.30pm  

Book your ticket there are limited spaces (Maximum 10 in the Class):

$250 per person - Non Members 

$220 per person - for ERAS Members 

or $245 become a ERAS member (includes workshop ticket) 

Book online at https://www.trybooking.com/DIAFQ

Please note that spots are limited so bookings are essential.

Equipment required:

1. Carving tools (some available but if you would like your own set Jen suggest ESSDEE 71040105 LINO Cutters & Handle PK 5 Lino Cutters https://amzn.asia/d/fbtJw4B Or https://www.artshedonline.com.au/japanese-carving-set-3pc).

2. Brayer(s)

3. Tray for ink (8 inch x 6 inch)

4. Basic cooking paper for line tray

5. Barren for ink spreading (wooden spoon/spoon)

6. Paper for printing, any A4 white paper/tracing paper

7. Image (student can bring own or I will supply), 5 inch x 5 inch maximum

8. Tracing paper

9. Lead/ graphite pencils

10. Ink for staining block before carving (any colour ink for staining Indian ink or watercolour if no ink)

Equipment and Materials Jennifer will provide(if any):

Jen will provide: design templates

Brayer x 2 (to share)

2 sets of carving tools (to share)

Dervan Block Ink (Black) for printing

Soft cut lino x1 double sided per student (*This depends though on how many students) 5inch x 5inch. 

This means that each student will have to opportunity to create two pieces during the workshops.

Jen will also provided cheat sheets, examples and resource informat

Jennifer De Goursat Bio:

Originally trained as an adult educator, I’ve spent the past five years teaching a wide range of art and creative classes, guiding people of all experience levels to reconnect with their creative spark. My artistic interests are broad and ever-evolving — from sketching, painting, mixed media, lino and wood cut printing, to pet portraiture, free embroidery, and jewellery making.

As a teacher, I aim to create an encouraging space where learning feels both purposeful and practical. I focus on helping students understand why a technique works, not just how to do it, so they can confidently adapt what they learn to their own creative projects. My classes blend structure with exploration, giving participants the tools, inspiration, and freedom to develop their own artistic voice.