Gain skills and confidence to produce unique images through hand printing with woodblocks. 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 reduction relief prints, using a single block for all colors in the print.
This six-week art class will cover the printing process, tools, inks, paper, plates and blocks, and registration used in woodblock printing. All supplies are included.
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: A449
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 wood blocks 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 in 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.
What to Know
This program meets indoors.
Please bring the following with you: note-taking materials and a water bottle. All other other supplies will be provided.
Program Schedule
This program meets during these times; choose your sessions. Pricing is per session.
Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 27, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21), West Side
