Woodblock Printing: Multicolor Relief Prints

Work with tree rings and carved wood to create nature-inspired artwork.

In woodblock printing, an image is carved in reverse on a piece of wood (areas that will not be printed are removed) leaving the image’s outline on the wood. The block is then inked and printed on paper. Under the guidance of an instructor, participants will first use a cross-section of a tree to print a background, and then carve an additional block of wood to create multicolor prints.

This six-week art class will cover the printing process, tools, inks, paper, plate/blocks, and registration used in woodblock printing. All supplies are included. Gain skills and confidence to produce multicolor images by hand printing. Appropriate for experienced artists and beginners alike, this class will provide the chance to work in a natural medium, focusing on subject matter found at the Arboretum.

This program meets in person at the Arboretum.

Instructor: Ben Calvert, artist

Age: 16 and older

Course number: A448

Instructor

Ben Calvert, artist

Ben Calvert has been teaching woodblock relief printmaking since 2017. Calvert was first introduced to the medium by his maternal grandmother, who mentored him, and through an independent study course at Knox College in 1989. His passion for creating with natural woodblocks that reflect nature and personal experiences has been rewarded with solo art exhibits as well as collectors on four continents. He has enjoyed sharing knowledge, first as a docent at the Naper Settlement during high school to currently being a docent at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, as well as through demonstrations at local art leagues and teaching at The Morton Arboretum.

Questions about Registration
630-719-2468
Registrar-ed@mortonarb.org
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Format
In person
Six Wednesdays, May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, and 19, 2024, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
A448
$180 member
$210 guest
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