Please let me know if you are interested in receiving an e mail notice when the calendar is modified by using the feedback form.

Lisa runs these workshops herself. She is a self taught artist/printmaker who has been printmaking for fifteen years - recently becoming full time after redundancy and relocation to Dumfries and Galloway. She started etching at the University of Gloucestershire and bought her own press in 1998. She is also developing a body of work in other paper arts and crafts including artists books and batik on paper.

The Workshops The workshops take place in Lisa’s own fully equipped studio, in Seymour House (which is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, built in approximately 1860). There is plenty of inspiration in the large garden and the house is a two minute walk from the pretty harbour and beach of Port William. Class sizes are restricted to four to ensure individual attention and reasonable access to equipment. None of the workshops require prior experience of the techniques but it is a good idea to bring a sketch book, photos or whatever sources you normally use for inspiration.

The Studio The studio is large and fully equipped with a very wide range of printmaking, bookbinding, painting and batik equipment and supplies. All basic materials are included (in the case of etching, one zinc plate is included in the fee but additional plates for use on the day can be purchased at cost prices). All courses except collagraph run from 10am to 4:30 pm with a light lunch and morning coffee/afternoon tea provided within the fee.

Accommodation Please contact Lisa if you would like details of local B&B’s.

Detailed descriptions and Calendar

Batik on Paper- Batik - the Indonesian art of using wax as a resist on fabric in order to create complex dyed work - is transferred here to paper. By using long-fibred Japanese papers the technique can be used to produce pictures on paper which can be framed or used in bookbinding or card-making. We will start with a practice piece to get to know the basic techniques and move on to a more considered image in the late morning or early afternoon.

Monotype- Monotype is an unusual technique in which no permanent marks are made on the print surface, rather inks are rolled or painted onto the support (usually plastic) and then printed one or more times. Every print is unique although it is possible to produce several similar images. Work tends to be more painterly and the technique is more spontaneous than other types of printmaking.

Etching - Learn to use traditional methods to etch zinc plate. Two techniques will be taught - firstly line etching onto a zinc plate which we will print, followed by aquatinting which adds tone to the plate. (The cost of the plate is covered by the fee but a small charge will be made to cover the actual cost of a second plate if it is required).

Relief printing - Offered for the first time this year, this form of printing; essentially woodcut and linocutting, using one or more colours, can be done at home without using a press. We will hand burnish prints and I will also demonstrate use of the etching press to print larger relief prints. I will explain methods of producing multiple coloured work by pre-painting, hand colouring after printing, reduction printing and multiple plate printing.

Calendar 2008

Update: the dates below have now passed but please see my note below the table - I will be issuing a new calendar in the autumn. In the meantime if two or more of you are interested in coming give me a call and I may be able to arrange a day just for you!

Workshop	2008 Dates	Brief description
Batik on Paper	February 23rd	Produce beautiful and vibrant images on tissue for mounting as cards or pictures
Monotype	April 2nd (nb class full)	Enjoy spontaneous printmaking with natural materials
Relief printing	April 12th	Use lino, plastic or wood to produce hand burnished prints which can be reproduced at home without a press.
Etching	April 26th	Use traditional methods to create your own etchings

Can't make the dates?

If there is a group of you (at least 2), please give me a call to arrange a bespoke day. If you are able to put together a group of 4 or more participants, who all attend on the day, I will give everyone a 10% discount. Even if you want to come alone it is always worth calling me so that I can try to put together a small group on a day which suits everybody. I prefer to run the courses in spring and autumn, so I will take dates between now and May and during September to November 2008, subject to other commitments.

Costs and booking Please use the contact page to e mail me or call me for a booking form. All courses cost £40 per person. Please let me know at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements. Unfortunately these courses are not suitable for children.

Please send a deposit of £10 per person with the form. Cheques should be made payable to Lisa Hooper or Hoopoe Prints. In the unlikely event of having to cancel a course all deposits will, of course, be refunded but if you have booked accommodation you may wish to insure against cancellation.

When you come Don’t forget to bring old clothes and/or protective clothing such as an apron and if you need sketches or images to inspire you, bring them along - although the beach, the garden and our own library of art and natural history books are all available of course!