Beginning Wood Engraving

Beginning Wood Engraving

January 10 & 11, 10:00am - 3:00pm with break for lunch

$145/per person

Instructor: Mirka Hokkanen

In-Studio Class for adult and teens with an adult supervision

In this two-day workshop with printmaker Mirka Hokkanen, students will be guided into the world of wood engraving. Wood engraving uses wood cut across the grain rather than parallel to it (like in wood cuts) resulting in a hardness and durability of the blocks that allow for the tiniest of details to be cut and printed. 

Day 1: We will dive into a brief history of wood engraving, and learn the basic tools and techniques. Students will start with a small sampler block, proof it, and start working on their first engraving. 

Day 2: Students will learn how to sharpen their gravers, and continue to work on their blocks. We will learn how to set a block on a press, registration, inking, and troubleshooting when printing. You will also learn tips on how to print on different kinds of presses, by hand, and alternative materials to use. 

Students should not expect to edition their blocks during class, but everyone will get press time to proof and practice printing. Wood engraving is a versatile form of printmaking, taking up very little space and minimal equipment, perfect for a home studio. Students will leave the workshop with the skills to create intricate prints, basic tools and a block to edition.

Supplies needed by participants:

Materials for students to bring:

• Ideas or a sketch for an engraving that fits in a 3x4" or smaller space

• 2-3 gravers. (If buying only two, get either elliptic or square and a flat graver): 

  • Elliptic tint tool #6 https://www.imcclains.com/catalog/engravingtools/elliptictint.html  

  • Square Burin #4 https://www.imcclains.com/catalog/engravingtools/burin.html

  • Flat Graver #42 https://www.imcclains.com/catalog/engravingtools/flatgravers.html 

• Optional: thin marker, like a Micron pen, a favorite pen or pencil, sketchbook

Note

We set our pricing to pay our instructors a fair wage and cover materials, but one of FBAC’s goals is to give access to the experience of all things bookbinding and printing to anyone who is interested. If you or someone you know would like to participate in a class but do not have the funding please reach out to us at contact@frederickbookarts.org.