A Journey Through Lithography Year Long Course

This year long course comes from Leicester Print Workshop being established as a facility for excellence in artists’ lithography. The aim of the course is to develop the lithographic practice of six participants, with the unique benefit of full access to the workshop facilities throughout the duration of the course. Building on the success of LPW’s Lithography Fellowship, at the core of this technical, artistic and intellectual journey, is both the 19th century medium of stone and the more recently developed photo-plate lithography. Through these contemporary and historic techniques, participants will be encouraged to experiment, challenge their creativity, fuel new ways of thinking and stimulate their artistic journeys.

Proficiency in lithography is best gained through patient effort over time. This is reflected in the course structure which will begin with a rigorous technical training in the basics, to provide participants with a strong foundation for developing their practice. Together with a weeklong orientation there will be a full year of monthly studio contact with the tutors, and included in the course is a workshop induction, membership to LPW and free hours during open access.

Once inducted into the studio, participants will benefit from access to good quality artist materials, the lithography resources (including the direct stone and hand offset presses, and intaglio presses) and general technician assistance, as well as written materials, and a safe and exclusive online space to facilitate sharing and peer to peer support. This will allow you to develop ideas, practice between sessions, and hone your skills at your own pace. The year will conclude with an exhibition in LPWs beautiful gallery space.

The tutors, Nora Hammenberg and Serena Smith, bring the breadth of their experiences to this course: as artists to support and nurture the independent creative pathways of each student, and as professionally trained lithographers who will encourage participants to work collectively and collaboratively to develop their skills and practice. Whilst in following their own interests participants will be encouraged to pursue individual pathways, there will also be activities and enrichment materials that reflect the diverse cultural contexts of lithography as a process historically used by musicians, designers, engineers, and artists.

This year-long programme is aimed at intermediate level printmakers - although no prior knowledge or experience of lithography is needed and the course is suitable for a wide range of starting points: from those new to the process or with little experience, to lithographers with more advanced level practices. We also welcome print curators and collectors who are interested in gaining hands on expertise and an in depth understanding of the technicalities of the lithographic process. Our ambition is to create a community of learners who wish to grow, develop, and expand their knowledge, from wherever they begin their journey through lithography.

If you are new to lithography, it is worth bearing in mind that this can be a physically and technically challenging process but one that rewards patience, practice and a level of dedication. A committed and enquiring individual who wishes to delve into the intriguing world of lithography, may find themselves at the starting point of a lifelong journey, led by the magical processes of lithography.

FAQ

Who is this suitable for?

This course is designed for people who having making experience and Printmaking as part of their practice

What experience or understanding of lithography processes must I have?

You do not need any prior knowledge of lithography processes

Can I discuss any queries I may have with someone about if this course is right for me?

Yes, please do contact the Education Programme Manager, k.dacasto@leicesterprintworkshop.com with queries or consider attending one of the two tasters (see our website for details) where you can discuss the course with Nora and Serena. The cost of these tasters is then knocked off the price of the full course if you go on to book it.

Is there a way to spread payments for the year?

We can discuss a range of ways to split payment – please contact k.kneller@leicesterprintworkshop.com

Will there be any continuing assessment of progress?

There will be continuing feedback during the monthly contact sessions 1-2-1 and at roughly the half way point in the year, you will have reflection with your tutors to direct your next half year.

What materials will I have access to?

During your taught weekend sessions all materials will be provided. When you choose to come in using your free membership, you will need to purchase any materials as necessary. You are also welcome to bring in your own materials.

How does the membership offer work?

You will be encouraged to set up a time to complete a free induction to the studio space with a technician as soon as you can. This then allows you to use the studio whenever you like during open access hours *for free*. Your induction willset you up with all necessary Health and Safety processes and general studio procedures to ensure you are happy and comfortable using the space unaided. As a member, you will be able to purchase discounted art materials including paper and you will also receive a 10% discount code for courses. You will receive a digital ‘members pack’ which gives you important studio information, a reminder of procedures and price ists for any materials you may wish to purchase.

How do I access the presses during Open Access?

We run a booking system for the lithography presses and encourage members to call the studio to check if they are free – due to the nature of lithography you will often need to be at the press for a few hours at a time. We book half or full days and would encourage group membersto coordinate visits between them. We have two stone presses, one offset litho press and two Rochats (Rochats are in general studio use and do not need to be booked) so we will always do our best to accommodate your needs over the processes you will be learning. We also have one night a month currently for late night opening our ‘Cultural Quarter Lates’ Friday on the last Friday of the month where the studio is open until 9pm.

What support will I receive during the year?

You will have an initial week to orient yourself with the lithography area and various processes followed by 11 monthly weekend sessions with contact with either Nora or Serena. These sessions will be practical demonstrations as well as periods of critical feedback and help with direction. You will also be enrolled into an online ‘classroom’ which is only accessible by LPW, your tutors and year-long group – it is an easily accessible space for you to all share resources and receive peer to peer support. There will always be a studio technician in Open Access hours to help with basic queries.

Will the monthly sessions be studio based?

Yes, you will usually have a ‘dry’ lay out space within the education room and then be working at the presses as necessary. Any visitors/speakers will come to LPW. If an offsite walk or visit is deemed appropriate it will be discussed in the group and plenty of advance warning given.

Will there be a way to continue with my lithography practice after the end of the course?

You would be able to join as a member and continue your practice in our studio. We also organise 1-2-1’s as requested and of course, we will be programming shorter and variable lithography courses as part of our education offer.

I would like to discuss accommodation needs I may have, what do I do?

Please email k.dacasto@leicesterprintworkshop.com with any queries, concerns or accommodations that may be necessary.

Course structure

Week long orientation: 8th March – 12th March 10am – 4pm

Through collaboratively working you will be introduced to the very basics of stone and photo plate lithography. Starting your lithography journey you will learn and practise stone graining, try out basic drawing techniques and printing from both a lithography stone and a photo plate. We will be introducing you to the use of our off-set press and direct lithography press. This week in the studio will ensure you have enough understanding of at least one part of your lithography journey to allow you to come in using your free membership and hours and progress your work between the contact weekends with your tutors. This initial week will be an immersion into your processes and allow you to feel fully comfortable in the studio environment. All materials will be supplied.

First Weekend: April 12 -13th / 10am – 4pm

Following on the intro week we will cover lithography drawing, processing in depth to establish good understanding of the processes.

Second Weekend: May 10 – 11th/ 10am – 4pm

In a collaborative setting we will printing the stones from last month. Covering the use of the direct lithography press and printing techniques etc.

You will discuss each months progress and will have information about the following month including any planned enrichment activity and content.

Tutor Bios

Nora Hammenberg is a lithographer and artist from Sweden and it was there that her journey through lithography began. This continued when she travelled to the USA where she studied to become a collaborative printer at the Tamarind Institute in 2014-2015. She is now one of only seven lithographers in the United Kingdom with this unique education. In 2018 she opened the doors to her own lithography workshop, the Stone Tree Press, where she offered courses and printed fine art lithography editions in collaboration with artists, utilising her skills gained at the Tamarind Institute. In addition to the work with Stone Tree Press, she has been involved with the lithography programme at Leicester Print Workshop as well offering courses in Sweden. Hammenberg has a passion for the traditional way of creating lithography prints through collaboration between artist and printer and is keen to keep these lithographic skills alive. Lately she has been focussing on her own art practice and is currently working on a series of lithographs at Leicester Print Workshop.

www.instagram.com/stonetreepress/

Serena Smith began her lithographic journey in 1985 at the Curwen Studio in London, where she was Stanley Jones’ assistant for twelve years. Her subsequent and ongoing practice as artist, lithographer and educator has been indelibly shaped by the legacy of her formative training as a collaborative studio printer. As one of the studio team, in partnership with Leicester Print Workshop she developed and mentored the Lithography Fellowship programme for a number of years. More recently she has been working to improve the facilities for lithography at the workshop, whilst pursuing doctoral research. Alongside a teaching practice spanning over 20 years, Smith is an internationally recognised lithographer who exhibits widely; her bookworks and stone lithographs are held in several public collections.

www.serenasmith.org/

Leicester Print Workshop

Leicester Print Workshop is the regional development centre for printmaking. Established by artists in 1986, we are a registered charity, supported by Arts Council England. Our RIBA award-winning building is situated in Leicester City Centre's Cultural Quarter and is home to a large, well equipped open access Printmaking Studio.

We have over 30 years’ experience of teaching people printmaking. Our programme offers the largest number and broadest range of printmaking courses in the region, with courses suitable for beginners as well as experienced printmakers, delivered by practicing artists and nationally renowned tutors. Participants learn in small and friendly groups in our purpose-designed studio.

Bookings

Online: You can book online here by credit / debit card or Paypal.

Telephone: You can pay by card over the phone during our opening hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm). Call us on 0116 251 4174.

In person: Call in to Leicester Print Workshop during our opening hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm) to book and pay by card, cash or cheque.

Pre-course information: We will send you details of how to find us and what to bring with you when we process your booking.

Concessions: Full-Print Members of Leicester Print Workshop are entitled to a 10% discount on our inhouse courses. Interested in joining LPW as a member? Click here for more information.