Printmaking Courses

Discount Policy

All courses are priced to be as affordable and accessible as possible, with a discount
provided for seniors, students and those not currently working.

LP studio members can avail of a 25% discount on all LP courses.

* Confirmation of an individual’s status will be requested at the time of booking in order to avail of a discount.
Individuals will be asked to provide I.D./documentation to confirm their eligibility for the discount requested.

Simply call or email to book a place on any of our courses.
Once booked, LP will then arrange payment.
The LP team are here to answer your questions so please do get in touch.

LP COURSES: FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2023

SAT 18th & Sun 19th FEB/ 10AM – 5PM ON BOTH DAYS
STEP BY STEP SILKSCREEN WEEKEND COURSE Price €190/ With Discount €170

LP’s Step-by-Step Silkscreen weekend course is a comprehensive introduction to learning the process of silkscreen. Participants will learn in a practical way, completing each step themselves & also learning through observing others in the group, with full tutor support.
The course level is aimed both at beginners & those who are eager to refresh their existing silkscreen skills.
Silkscreen is a hugely popular print method as it’s so versatile.
It’s a print method that can encompass so much – text, photographic imagery, sketches and mark–making, plus many layers of colour.
Silkscreen produces clean, punchy images with a strong graphic quality and more refined, delicate images. Details stay crisp and sharp while colour pops off the page. LP’ weekend course is ideal for those eager to get to grips with the basics of silkscreen in order to work towards creating their own printed t’s, totes, photographs, posters, flyers & artwork.

Step-by-Step Silkscreen will cover:
• Image selection and conversion of imagery using common software
• How to transfer images to screen & exposure of screens
• Using equipment safely
• Printing: Registration of image, ink & paper selection, printing technique,
trouble shooting, creating two colour prints
• Cleaning/ maintenance of screens

All material costs are included in the course fee.

Sun 26th FEB/10AM – 5PM
EXPERIMENT WITH MONOPRINT – 5 WAYS IN ONE DAY
Price €85/ With Discount €75

This course is ideal for complete beginners to printmaking, artists seeking to use their existing skills in a new way, printmakers seeking to experiment with a non-toxic, tactile process, & anyone who would like to try something fun and new
that could then be continued at home with a few basic tools.
Monoprinting is a low tech form of printmaking technique that involves applying ink to the surface of a smooth plate to create images. With simplicity comes freedom! The beauty of monoprints is that the application of ink can result in many different effects & results & the process has a very painterly, experimental quality to it.
Unlike other forms of printmaking, each monoprint is entirely unique.
During this engaging one-day course, tutor Áine Finnegan will guide participants through several ink application techniques.
The course will teach different monoprint techniques & styles including:
• Additive – Drawing directly/ working into an inked surface using a range of tools to create different marks before printing.
• Subtractive – Applying a sheet of paper over the inked plate and making marks on the back of the piece of paper.
The pressure will lift ink from the acrylic sheet to leave an image of what you have drawn on your paper.
• Painting with Ink – Directly onto a clean plate before printing over another printed background.
• Stencils – Allows for certain areas to remain clear or to be filled in with other colours/ mark-making.
• Textured monoprints – Incorporating the use of textured surfaces such as papers, feathers etc. into your prints.
Each participant can experiment with a combination of techniques and will finish the course with a selection of their own handmade prints. Please note that in order to maximise the learning opportunities within this one-day course, all plates supplied/ created will be A4 or smaller. Use of all tools and materials are included in the course fee and we encourage participants to bring any collages/ sketches/ ideas
that they may like to work from with them on the day.

Tues 28th FEB to Tues 18th APRIL/ 6.30PM – 9PM
Price €300/ With Discount €275

LP’s 8-week Build Your Skills: Silkscreen course is an excellent way in which to develop fluency across the key aspects of silkscreen.
Participants are taught in a practical way, engaging with each step manually with full tutor support, while also learning through observing others in the group.
Repetition across the weeks’ supports the development of new & more ambitious ideas as knowledge & confidence grows,
alongside participant’s comfort level of working within the space.
The course level is aimed at everyone from complete beginners & those who are eager to refresh or expand their existing silkscreen skills.
Silkscreen is a hugely popular print method as it’s so versatile.
It’s a print method that can encompass so much – text, photographic imagery, sketches and mark–making, plus many layers of colour.
Silkscreen produces clean, punchy images with a strong graphic quality and more refined, delicate images.Details stay crisp and sharp while colour pops off the page. LP’ evening screen course is ideal for those eager to get to grips with the basics of silkscreen in order to work towards creating their own printed t’s, totes, photographs, posters, flyers & artwork.
Build Your Skills: Silkscreen will cover:
• Image selection and conversion of imagery using common software
• How to transfer images to screen & exposure of screens
• Using equipment safely
• Printing: Registration of image, ink & paper selection, printing technique,trouble shooting, creating multi-layered colour prints
• Cleaning/ maintenance of screens

All material costs are included in the course fee.

SUN 12th MARCH/ PRINT BASICS: RELIEF & INTAGLIO – LINOCUT & DRYPOINT/ 10AM – 5PM
Price €85/ With Discount €75

LP’s PRINT BASICS course is designed to provide participants with a firm grounding in, and understanding of two methods of printmaking while also showcasing their possibilities. This one-day course will in the morning focus on the highly recognizable relief technique of linocut, before exploring the intaglio process of drypoint etching in the afternoon.

A linocut is a type of relief, or block print, and bears a lot of similarities to woodblock printing. Essentially, the artist carves an image into a linoleum (lino) block and the remaining surface of the block is inked and printed.
The lines that are carved away do not receive any ink so it is those lines that form the image in contrast with the inked surface.

Drypoint is a printmaking technique from the intaglio family, in which an image is incised directly into a plate with a hard-pointed “needle” of sharp metal, rather than into a surface coating or ‘ground’ applied to the surface of the plate.
Drypoint etching is undertaken without the use of any acids and for the purpose of this course, LP will use acetate sheets which are a helpful aid when transferring sketches and drawings. Intaglio prints in an opposite manner to relief, with ink gathering where any cuts or marks are made and with the flat surface areas of the plate being wiped back.

The course is designed for beginners or those seeking a refresher in printmaking.
On this one-day course, participants will learn about designing & transferring an image to both lino and acetate – and the key differences when working with relief and intaglio, safe carving and mark-making techniques,
registering a print & inking up correctly, before printing multiples of each design using a professional studio press or by hand (using a spoon or barren).
Each participant will print one linocut and one drypoint (both between A5 and A6 in size) using simple designs, patterns and images of their choice.

Course sizes are strictly limited in order to ensure each participant has ample group & individual learning opportunities and the focus is centred on a fun and enjoyable learning experience in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
All material costs are included in the course fee.

SAT 1st & SUN 2nd APRIL/MEZZOTINT DRYPOINT WEEKEND COURSE/ 10AM – 5PM ON BOTH DAYS
Price €190/ With Discount €170

Mezzotint is an intaglio print method of tonal engraving, whereby the artist works from dark to light, revealing the image as the velvety black surface of the plate is scraped away. It is a perfect medium for reproducing dramatic light effects and contrasts.
The Mezzotint process begins by creating a plate of intense, dense black by indenting a solid field of dots using a mezzotint tool called a rocker evenly across the entire surface of the plate. It is this series of grooves and raised burrs that will hold the ink. To maximise the outcomes of this course, participants will be provided with pre- rocked plates.
The design then emerges by gradually smoothing the burr with scrapers and burnishers so that different areas of the plate will hold different quantities of ink and therefore print softly graded tones of black through grey to white.
A scraper is used to remove large areas of burr, and a burnisher for more delicate work. Highlights are achieved by burnishing the plate to a smooth finish meaning that when it is wiped no ink remains on these areas. Mezzotint is a process that rewards concentration and patience, resulting in strong and atmospheric prints with subtle tonal gradations.

Course Content
• Group discussion on tools & materials used and the process itself.
• Demonstration on how to prepare and ‘rock’ a plate to create the required surface texture.
• To maximise the outcomes of this course, participants will be provided with pre- rocked plates.
• Before working on your plate you will have some exercises with the mezzotint rocker, burnisher and scraper.
You will also be introduced to some other alternative techniques related to this medium.
• LP tutor Pam Dunne will then provide one-to-one and group support and supervision in reproducing imagery
of their choice on their individual mezzotint plate using tools such as burnishers and scrapers.
• Proofing of plates (initial prints taken to guide the artist on edits they may wish to make)
• Printing of each course participants plates including inking up, setting pressure of printing press, registration of plate, and trouble shooting.
In order to get the very best from this course, we ask that participants bring the following with them

• An apron, a sketchbook and your preferred drawing materials, a putty rubber
and other erasers, and any special paper that you would like to print on.
Standard papers and all other equipment and consumables etc. will be provided.
• Please bring a selection of black and white images, drawings/photographs that have a large amount of black in them, that are high contrast or if landscapes that are ideally night time shots.

SAT 13th & SUN 14th MAY/ INTAGLIO: MULTI-PLATE ETCHING W AQUATINT WEEKEND/ 10AM – 5PM ON BOTH DAYS
Price €190/ With Discount €170

Combine tone & line on this excellent weekend course from LP.
This intensive course is ideal for anyone who has a basic understanding of etching and would like to develop their knowledgewhile also incorporating tonal shading through the aquatint technique.
Intaglio printmaking refers to marks made on the surface of a plate (metal, Perspex etc.) that when inked up & then wiped to retain the ink within those marks, forms the image that will be printed. Aquatint involves the application of a powdered resin that results in the addition of various tones to an existing line etching.
Aquatint in built up in layers to allow for a range of darker and lighter tonal areas within one print.
Participants will be shown how best

– To apply ground to their plates
– To transfer their design
– Mark making on their plate
– Registration and printing of the plate before,

learning about the aquatint process and completing the steps involved with the technique, including

– Stopping out a design
– Graduations of bite and its effects on an image
– Corrections and proofing the plate, and
– Registration and printing of the both plates.
Use of all tools and materials are included in the course fee.

SUN 21st MAY/ PAINTERLY & TRACE MONOPRINT – FROM SKETCHBOOK TO PRINT/ 10AM – 5PM
Price €85/ With Discount €75

Monoprint is a printmaking process that incorporates a number of different techniques, and its simplicity and the spontaneity with which you can experiment and create prints makes it a really attractive option for creatives of all types. It’s also a low tech form of printmaking and can be replicated in a home setting with minimal tools and equipment.
Monoprint is an ideal introduction to printmaking, particularly for those already familiar with painting and anyone who loves to play with making.

LP’ Painterly & Trace Monoprint course is a fantastic natural successor to its existing Experiment with Monoprint course in helping to further develop creative ideas & become more proficient with the possibilities of the process, but Painterly Monoprint is aimed at both complete beginners & those aiming to develop their skills so requires no previous experience.

Course Content
• The course will kick off with a group discussion about the wide range of monoprint techniques
such as additive, subtractive, texture, stencil, painterly and trace monoprints.
The class will then focus on the painterly and trace techniques and the tutor will demonstrate both techniques.
• Course participants will then experiment with these techniques through a number of quick, spontaneous exercises.
• The group can then use source imagery of their choice or any small objects – whether their own sketches, paintings, or photographs, images from books or magazine, or still life objects (fruit, vases, ornaments) as inspiration for producing their own painterly monoprint.
Course participants can also work in a freer manner to create free form abstract imagery or more impressionistic work.
• LP tutor Áine will provide one to one advice on which techniques of ink application will best serve your imagery
and aims as the group work on their monoprints in LP’ welcoming studio.
• The group will then print their monoprints on LP’ professional studio presses and by hand
using best practice, and with full supervision and support at all times.
• Each course participant will finish the day with a range of hand made artwork
and lots of ideas on how to continue their monoprint experiments.
Please note that in order to maximise the learning opportunities within this one-day course, all monoprints created will be A4 or smaller using high quality white card and sketching paper.

Course participants are welcome to bring a selection of their own papers if they wish to experiment further.
Use of all tools and materials are included in the course fee.

SAT 17th & Sun 18th JUNE/
STEP BY STEP SILKSCREEN WEEKEND COURSE/ 10AM – 5PM ON BOTH DAYS
Price €190/ With Discount €170

LP’s Step-by-Step Silkscreen weekend course is a comprehensive introduction to learning the process of silkscreen. Participants will learn in a practical way, completing each step themselves & also learning through observing others in the group, with full tutor support.
The course level is aimed both at beginners & those who are eager to refresh their existing silkscreen skills.
Silkscreen is a hugely popular print method as it’s so versatile.
It’s a print method that can encompass so much – text, photographic imagery, sketches and mark–making, plus many layers of colour.
Silkscreen produces clean, punchy images with a strong graphic quality and more refined, delicate images. Details stay crisp and sharp while colour pops off the page. LP’ weekend course is ideal for those eager to get to grips with the basics of silkscreen in order to work towards creating their own printed t’s, totes, photographs, posters, flyers & artwork.

Step-by-Step Silkscreen will cover:
• Image selection and conversion of imagery using common software
• How to transfer images to screen & exposure of screens
• Using equipment safely
• Printing: Registration of image, ink & paper selection, printing technique,
trouble shooting, creating two colour prints
• Cleaning/ maintenance of screens

All material costs are included in the course fee.

SAT 24th & SUN 25th JUNE/
BOOK ASSEMBLAGE & CYANOTYPE WEEKEND / 10AM – 5PM ON BOTH DAYS
Price €190/ With Discount €170

LP are hosting an exciting weekend course for both beginners & intermediate learners this June,
giving participants an opportunity to explore and experiment with two different & distinct processes over a single weekend – that of book assemblage and cyanotype.
Tutor Suzannah O’ Reilly will first introduce the cyanotype process, which was traditionally used in creating blueprints for buildings & machinery,
named as such because of the beautifully strong hues of blue the process produced.
The course will begin with an overview of the process before moving to the darkroom where the group will learn how to coat paper with the light reactive cyanotype solution, before experimenting with exposures that incorporate the use of stencils, 2D & 3D items, text and sketches on Perspex etc. in order to create images. Course participants will also explore how to tint their cyanotypes with ink & dyes to broaden the colour palette within their artwork,
before learning how to correctly wash and dry their prints.
Suzannah will then teach two forms of book assemblage, with the group each making both a flexigon (accordion book), & an origami star-book using paper & sections of participant’s own cyanotypes.
Participants are also encouraged to bring any drawings and prints they may have previously made that they would like to consider including in their book assemblages.

This two-day course encourages experimentation through exploring multiple techniques that combine 2D & 3D work. Participants will develop a range of skills with full support of LP tutor Suzannah O’ Reilly and will create a selection of work over the weekend.
All material costs are included in the course fee.

LP TUTORS

Áine Finnegan is a printmaker and designer working in the field of visual communication.
A past joint recipient of LP’ Graduate Printmaking Bursary, her work features in multiple private collections.

Derek O’ Sullivan is an artist, printmaker, technician and tutor.
He has taught with LP for many years and is an expert on all things silkscreen related.

Pamela Dunne is a highly experienced artist, printmaker and tutor, having studied Fine Art at both Limerick School of Art and Design, LIT (LSAD),
and at the University of Ulster in Belfast.
She has contributed to countless printmaking collaborations and her work resides in both private and public collections including Office of Public Works (OPW) collection and the National Self Portrait Collection in the University of Limerick.
Dunne is also printmaking technician with Limerick School of Art & Design.

LP tutor Suzannah O’ Reilly is an internationally recognised artist, printmaker and educator.
She is a lecturer in Limerick School of Art and Design, and co-founder/ co-director of Parallel Editions, a fine art print editioning company based in Limerick city.

LP tutor Ultan McAvinue is an experienced printmaker, facilitator, and a highly skilled technician. He also sits on the board of directors of Limerick Printmakers.

LP & COVID – UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022

While government guidelines have been significantly relaxed, we ask that all course participants assist us in maintaining some common-sense measures such as remaining respectful of others personal space, making use of LP’ hand-washing and sanitation facilities as desired, and respecting everyone’s comfort level regarding the absence of/wearing of masks during any of our courses.
LP will continue to ensure the studio is well ventilated and encourages course participants
to take fresh air breaks as they see fit.

We are mindful that COVID has not completely left our communities & are committed to supporting everyone who engages with our studio in having the most enjoyable & safe experience possible.