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. Material is removed in the empty spaces, leaving raised areas of the wood block that will create the lines of the image. The block is then inked and printed on paper.
Under the guidance of an instructor, participants will carve a 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 the registration process used in multicolor 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 Morton Arboretum Herbarium. Participants will get a chance to view specimens from the Herbarium to inspire their artwork.
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 as a docent, first at the Naper Settlement in high school to 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 the following six times.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21), West Side
