Our annual five-day Intaglio Printmaking Summer School with Mai Osawa takes drypoint as its starting point and moves into the studio’s Etching Room as the week progresses, providing a comprehensive understanding of these ‘intaglio’ printmaking processes.

Drypoint is a beautiful intaglio printmaking technique that lends itself to expressive drawings and fluid mark-making. With the use of clear acrylic plates your designs and artwork are easily transferred to the plate and, when inked and carefully wiped, will produce beautiful and unique velvety original prints.

Mai says ‘Drypoint is a good introduction to traditional printmaking and this course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities of this technique which includes à la poupée, Chine-collé and Goetz with carborundum using PETG.’

You will then be offered the opportunity to transfer the drypoint and skills you have learnt at the start of the week from the studio to the Etching Room. You be shown the less toxic processes we employ in the Etching Room; etching plates with Ferric Chloride and Copper Sulphate, using BIG (Baldwins Ink Ground) and our self-contained spray booth for applying Aquatint.

Mai Osawa is an Artist/Illustrator, exhibits widely and has won prizes for her beautiful prints. She has worked in the etching room exclusively and is keen to share her skills with those interested in exploring the processes of drypoint and etching copper and aluminium plates in a safe environment.

This Summer School is suitable for beginners and anyone who wishes to spend a week exploring the possibilities intaglio printmaking processes in a friendly and relaxed environment.

All basic materials are included in the workshop price with the option of purchasing further plates and paper from the studio shop.

Dates: Week of 3-7 August
Times: 10am to 3pm
Cost: £395 / Members £385

Mai Osawa trained as a set designer but now works full-time as a successful illustrator, artist and printmaker.

Mai has worked in our etching room since it was first established back in 2017 and is keen to share her extensive knowledge with those interested in exploring the processes of etching copper and aluminium plates in a safe environment.