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Printing Block Carving Day Course.

5(10 reviews)
Learn the art of relief printing by carving your own design into wood and Lino.
Brighton & Hove
In-person
£95 pp
6hrs
Beginner
What happens in this class?

Your class will start at 10.30 am with a meet and greet. Once you've found your bench space, you'll be introduced to the tools, materials and the four stage process of relief printing. There will be a short brake for lunch, then more fun until 16.30 when the workshop will close. I will be at hand to guide you through each process but for most of the day it will be you and your block. We will have some mellow music on and you will let yourself switch off and get lost on the creative journey…

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Things to remember

Please bring with you.

  • A packed lunch & water bottle. There are small supermarkets and coffee shops in walking distance. There will be tea and coffee making facilities. We also have a basic kitchen with fridge and microwave at your disposal.

  • Glasses if you need them - there's close up work…

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FAQs
What size should my design be?
Our blocks and Lino tiles are 120 mm x 120 mm.
How detailed can my design be?
Keep it simple. Especially if you are a beginner. If your design is too complex you may not get it finished. If your designs are simple you may get to carve more than one. E.g A simple leaf design would usually take 2 hours to carve.
Can I park near the workshop?
Not easily. Street parking nearby will only give you 2 hours. JustPark.com can offer private rented parking for the day but takes a bit of admin on your part. With a bit of research you could find 11 hour parking within walking distance but these change quite a bit so I don't list them.
Are there shops nearby?
Yes. There is a Sainsbury local and a few sandwich shops on Portland road. There is a coffee shop just around the corner.
Does the workshop have wheelchair access?
The workshop is wheelchair friendly. All on the ground floor with no steps. We don't have a disabled toilet however.
Latest Reviews
5(10 reviews)
Cherry - 17 May 2022
I had a great day learning to carve printing blocks with Kevin. He is a great, informative and calm teacher and I felt at ease as soon as I entered his space. It was really fun working in a real workshop as well, instead of a classroom environment. To begin with I thought perhaps 6 hours might be too long but the time flew by and I was racing to finish at the end of the day. I made two carvings in the end and the block is now sat happily on my mantelpiece - it makes a great ornament! If you're looking for a mindful way to spend a Saturday, whilst learning a new and fun skill, then this course is for you. Thanks Kevin! I can't wait to book the next course.
Dani Butcher - 15 May 2022
I can highly recommend this woodblock course! Having never done anything like this before, it was lovely to be guided through each step with a calm, knowledgeable, encouraging teacher. Nothing felt rushed and the atmosphere was relaxed. We were all given plenty of time and help to practice our carving techniques with the tools and equipment provided and expert tuition and tips from Kev. We all produced several prints of our finished woodblock designs ( most of us managing two or more) so came home with these plus our original woodblocks. A lovely day. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Paul Perrin - 15 May 2022
What a brilliant day! I had never done this before and count myself as totally useless at art. I started the day with a pretty poor sketch but, with expert guidance from Kevin, ended up with some great prints that I’m still struggling to believe are all mine! The day was very relaxed and we were led through all the steps in an easy to understand way. I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to try something new, or to improve any woodcut printing skills they already have.
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Booking Options

Obby Guarantee

We ensure quality. If your class doesn't reach your expectations, we'll give your money back.
Obby guarantees good classes

Age Requirement

18

Flexible cancellation policy

Any class can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
Your Teacher

Kevin Butcher is a master craftsman with over 38 years experience in antique restoration and cabinet making. He has extensive knowledge in all the associated crafts - carving, joinery, turning, luthier/instrument making, wood and linocut Confident in both traditional and modern styles. Kevin has worked with stately homes such as Glynde Place and Firle Place, on specialist Liberty pieces - as well as developing modern prototypes for many contemporary designers including Terence Woodgate.

Kevin has been teaching various aspects of wood craft on and off for the last 20 years. Arthur Street Carving Club is a new venture to provide classes…

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Class Location
Workhaus
Brighton & Hove
Unit 5
18A Arthur Street
BN3 5FD
Hove

Reviews

Cherry - 17 May 2022
I had a great day learning to carve printing blocks with Kevin. He is a great, informative and calm teacher and I felt at ease as soon as I entered his space. It was really fun working in a real workshop as well, instead of a classroom environment. To begin with I thought perhaps 6 hours might be too long but the time flew by and I was racing to finish at the end of the day. I made two carvings in the end and the block is now sat happily on my mantelpiece - it makes a great ornament! If you're looking for a mindful way to spend a Saturday, whilst learning a new and fun skill, then this course is for you. Thanks Kevin! I can't wait to book the next course.
Dani Butcher - 15 May 2022
I can highly recommend this woodblock course! Having never done anything like this before, it was lovely to be guided through each step with a calm, knowledgeable, encouraging teacher. Nothing felt rushed and the atmosphere was relaxed. We were all given plenty of time and help to practice our carving techniques with the tools and equipment provided and expert tuition and tips from Kev. We all produced several prints of our finished woodblock designs ( most of us managing two or more) so came home with these plus our original woodblocks. A lovely day. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Paul Perrin - 15 May 2022
What a brilliant day! I had never done this before and count myself as totally useless at art. I started the day with a pretty poor sketch but, with expert guidance from Kevin, ended up with some great prints that I’m still struggling to believe are all mine! The day was very relaxed and we were led through all the steps in an easy to understand way. I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to try something new, or to improve any woodcut printing skills they already have.
Dominique - 15 May 2022
Loved this course—great tools, amazing teacher, even learned how easy it is to create our own home set-up. Super relaxed and a lovely way to spend the day. Worth every penny.
Dominique - 15 May 2022
Loved this course—great tools, amazing teacher, even learned how easy it is to create our own home set-up. Super relaxed and a lovely way to spend the day. Worth every penny.
P.R. - 27 April 2022
The working area was set out with plenty of space for each person and all the tools and equipment we could need. At the end of the class I felt I had learned so much; Kevin is clearly very knowledgable and conveyed information and guidance in a natural, easily understood way. Everyone at the class ended up with a block they were pleased with and could print from right away. Highly recommended!
georgina - 27 April 2022
Kev was an absolutely brilliant teacher, incredibly approachable and enthusiastic. The atmosphere was very relaxed and calm and we were given very clear instructions on what to do. There was lots of time to work each step out so it didn't feel rushed and the act of carving wood is blissfully mindful. I am so pleased with my wooden blocks I have them proudly on display at home. Highly recommended as a relaxing way to spend the day and learn something new!
Natasha - 22 April 2022
I had such an amazing time - I am a total beginner and found it so relaxing to carve - almost meditative! It was easy to do - and printing the results was very satisfying. I actually had time to carve two blocks - and I bought another to take home too! Kev is so welcoming and friendly. His workshop in Hove has such a lovely atmosphere! No pressure to be a master carver - just a great opportunity to relax! I definitely recommend.
Natasha - 22 April 2022
I had such an amazing time - I am a total beginner and found it so relaxing to carve - almost meditative! It was easy to do - and printing the results was very satisfying. I actually had time to carve two blocks - and I bought another to take home too! Kev is so welcoming and friendly. His workshop in Hove has such a lovely atmosphere! No pressure to be a master carver - just a great opportunity to relax! I definitely recommend.
Charlie - 21 April 2022
Really rewarding and fun course! Great for people who are new to printmaking as teacher guides you through each step in a friendly and relaxing manner. Also great if you have previous experience like I did. It's a really enjoyable day and great to be around people in a workshop environment. I got to make prints from my wood block and it was nice to get home and see that I had made something tangible that I could keep or give to someone as a gift! And you get to keep the block so you can make more prints at home!