Tutor: Emma James
Date: Thursday 10th July 2025 - Friday 11th July 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom

We will start with a walk in the Garden to collect leaves and fallen plant material. Once back in the classroom we’ll use these to use to print your own individual covers, pages and inserts for your sketchbooks. There will be demonstrations of printmaking technique and uses of materials. You will work with monoprinting to create unique prints to build within the construct of your books, and create layered prints using and combining plant materials, mark making, textured materials and masking techniques. On day two we will select which prints to use for your books: a simple sewn sketchbook with printed covers and inserts, and a printed concertina Artist’s Book, including printed inserts. A step-by-step demonstration will be given of how to measure, cut, crop and prepare your prints and how to construct your books. By the end of the course, you will have created three individual books and many prints.

Tutor: Grace Hailstone
Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom

Make unique monoprints exploring silhouettes of leaves and ‘ghost prints’ using a miniature etching press. Working with positive and negative shapes, spacing and texture, we will create unique original prints on cotton-based paper using real leaves and materials. Participants can bring collected organic materials to print with, materials will also be provided. We will begin with making simple silhouettes then expanding to create multi layered images full of organic shapes and textures. Image sizes will be a maximum of 10 cm.

Tutor: Susie Turner
Date: Tuesday 29th July 2025 - Wednesday 30th July 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom

This practical workshop will introduce participants to the simple technique of cyanotype using the rich collection of foliage and found objects in the Botanic Garden as inspiration. Participants will learn how to transfer botanical specimens, found objects, drawings and photographs into unique cyanotype prints using a range of suitable papers and ready-made cyanotype sensitizer solution. There will also be the opportunity to work with pre-coated fabric.

Tutor: Grace Hailstone
Date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom

A zine (pronounced "zeen") is a small, homemade booklet or magazine. They can be created to share ideas, art, stories, or interests. On this course we will discuss zine making and look at examples, then we will individually explore the Botanic Garden to take photos and do some sketching. Afterwards we will return to the Classroom for more drawing and discussion, and come up with our narrative for our zines. We will then make hand drawn or collaged zines together using cutting and folding techniques.

Tutor: Susie Turner
Date: Wednesday 29th October 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom

This one-day workshop will introduce participants to the simple but effective method of monoprinting directly using a selection of pressed autumnal leaves as primary source material. Monoprinting is the method of producing one or several unique prints. The technique offers fine detail and versatility in image making. During this one-day workshop, participants will learn how to make monoprints using oil-based water washable inks, a small professional printing press as well as learn how to print without a press, using hand burnishing techniques. The course is open to all levels and materials will be provided.

Tutor: Charlotte Aldis and Patsy Rathbone
Date: Wednesday 28th May 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £90
Location: Classroom

Environmentally safe and without the use of any chemicals, the image is scratched into the surface of the plate using a drypoint needle. Gathering inspiration from the wealth of flora in the Botanic Garden, you will collect, sketch or photograph leaves and flowers to create a botanical image. You will transform this into a drypoint etching and learn how to ink and print your image on a small, table-top press. Developing your work throughout the day you will create multiple, varied prints using a seasonal colour palette. The beauty of this technique is that you do not need any drawing skills or prior knowledge to create a beautiful print. All printing materials will be provided and etching needles will be available to use. Gloves and cleaning materials will be supplied but you will need to bring an apron or similar.

Tutor: Emma James
Date: Thursday 27th November 2025 - Friday 28th November 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom

In this two day workshop we will explore the Garden to sketch and take photos of winter views for the lino image to cut and print. We will then plan, cut and print a reduction linocut with three colour layers in winter tones of greys and blues. Materials and some tools will be available to use, but you will need your own set of lino cutting tools, as well as a box or folder to take away your prints.