Richard Tetrault Reductive Relief Workshop in October

This workshop covers the basics of relief printmaking including tools, sharpening, papers, inks, colour mixing and registration technique. It is designed for all levels of experience in printmaking, from beginners to advanced levels.

Incorporating a range of chisels, gouges and other tools, the workshop will explore the broad range of qualities that can be achieved in woodblock printing. Participants will create color prints through the reduction process; starting from a concept drawn onto a block (Pine or Baltic birch plywood) a sequence of colors will be printed by reducing/cutting away the relief surface. A small edition of four-color prints will result.

During the four evenings of this workshop, participants will develop their own design, translate it to the block, carve, ink and print their edition. Students are asked to bring to the first class a sketch/ rough idea for their print (approximately 9”X12” size) . All print related materials, including carving tools, inks and papers, are provided.

Richard Tetrault is a Vancouver printmaker, painter and muralist. He has exhibited his work locally and internationally and has taught woodcut printing at Malaspina for more than ten years.