Printmaking with Carborundum – Masterclass with Sheena Vallely
1 day course
24 April, 23 September 2025
10am to 4pm
£125 including 2 x A4 acetate plates
Sheena developed the process of printmaking with carborundum during her Masters at Camberwell College of Arts, London and has taught workshops and worked in this process at Bath Artist Printmakers, Grafisch Atelier Alkmaar in The Netherlands, Veerle Rooms Foundation in Antwerp and most recently at Kunstlauerhaus Bethannien in Berlin.
Printmaking with carborundum is an acid-free and an editionable process. It offers rich and varied marks and is well-suited to figurative and to landscape-based compositions. It’s also very hands-on and very enjoyable, so it can suit both the beginner and the experienced.
Carborundum is a grit that comes in several grades from fine to coarse and each grade is combined with acrylic emulsion to make a number of mediums which are applied to an acetate plate. When the plate is dry, it is inked, wiped down and printed in much the same way as an etching or a drypoint. Many artists, including Ken Kiff, Hughie O’Donaghue, Howard Hodgkin and Antoni Tapies have used it and with striking results.
In this workshop you will make two A4 size plates. Sheena will show you original examples of carborundum prints and corresponding plates, from small to very large formats and she will give demonstrations of each stage of this process throughout the day, working with you to get the best result from each of your plates every time.
Course structure
• Making up the mediums and their application.
• Planning out the plate from your idea/ design / drawing
• Applying the mediums for different effects
• Choosing and applying colour
• Demonstration of the technique with examples of plates and prints.
• Advice on ink ingup and wiping down the plate
• Preparing paper and printing using an etching press
Pre-course information
Notes will be forwarded to participants prior to course. Bring objects to study or drawings for your plate designs plus an old toothbrush or two.
Experience level
Suitable for beginners and those wishing to expand their printmaking skills. You are guaranteed to take home a multitude of quality original prints with a smile.
Maximum 8 places
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For all courses except CPSC Certificate course
Full payment of the course fee is required when booking a place. A reserved place is not secure until full payment has been received.
If for any reason you are unable to attend, we will refund monies paid minus a £20 admin fee, as long as you cancel your place more than 1 month before the course start date.
For CPSC Certificate course
Payment for Term 1 is required when booking a place. A reserved place is not secure until this payment has been received. Payments for Terms 2 & 3 will be due at the end of the previous term. Payments for Terms 2 & 3 will be due before the first day of each term.
If for any reason prior to the commencement of the course you are unable to attend, we will refund monies paid minus a £20.00 admin fee, as long as you cancel your place more than 1 month before the course start date. Once you start the course on Term 1 you have committed to all 3 terms. Course transfers are at the discretion of Curwen Print Study Centre.
There is an option to book your place for £100 deposit. If you choose this option your place is secured. The balance of term 1 will be due 20 working days before the start of the course. If you cancel more than 20 working days before the course start date, we will refund monies paid minus a £20 admin fee. If your place is not cancelled during this timescale, and the balance is not paid then the deposit is non refundable. All other Terms & Conditions remain the same.
Curwen Print Study Centre reserves the right to cancel courses – a full refund will be made in these circumstances.
