Fireweed is trying a new virtual model--source your own affordable tools! Learn the basics of block carving and relief printing from anywhere, and make prints and cards to send love. This is a great class if you're interested in woodblock printing/carving in the future, and a fun one to take with long distance friends or to stay cozy on a winter night. You'll source and end up with your own set of affordable tools to keep using (this will cost about $25-30 in addition to the course enrollment fee-- see below for links and tips for sourcing these). You can also use linoleum to stamp on fabric! Make patches! Tshirts! This class is suitable for beginners. Teens accompanied by a parent could also participate. Any questions or concerns about material sourcing? Need to borrow tools instead of purchasing? email jessiemerriam@gmail.com.

You can either design the whole 4x6" linoleum block or cut it with scissors into smaller shapes to have multiple designs. Your designs can be layered and interact when you print (hearts, kisses, skulls, geometric designs, etc. can be repeatedly stamped as a pattern, or work with each other for a design).

A zoom link will be sent out to participants in advance of class, as well as a flyer with design guidance.

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Here are some things you will need to do in advance of the workshop:

1. Sketches: prepare a 4x6 or several smaller sketches and go over in pencil if you want to transfer them to the block (letters in your design can be right-reading).

2. Materials and tools: each student is responsible for sourcing their materials in advance of the class--some to purchase, some from around your home. This way you will also be equipped to print into the future, and the cost is only about $5 more than our typical tool rental fee!

Linoleum blocks, tools, paper and ink are available at most local art supply stores (Wet Paint, MCAD Art Cellar, Art Materials in the Twin Cities). Give them a call! We also have links for affordable kits and materials from dickblick.com. Please email jessiemerriam@gmail.com with any questions about supplies! I want to help make this affordable

----> You must have: at least one 4x6 soft linoleum block, one set of linoleum carving tools, an ink roller (brayer), ink, and paper.

 WHAT YOU WILL NEED FROM HOME:

• Wooden spoon or other firm item for rubbing your paper to print the image (a"baren" is the traditional tool, so anything that would work like this will do)

• Washable flat surface for rolling ink out (a piece of plexiglass, or glass from a picture frame, a glass cutting board, a pyrex pan, a dinner plate)

• Pencil and your drawing(s) (also in pencil. You will scribble on the back to transfer, so make a copy if precious).

• Scissors if cutting the block into smaller pieces
• any stamp pads you already have, to try out (not required).
• Any non-glossy paper or cardstock you want to try out (see below for recommendations if you want printmaking specific papers).
  

SUPPLIES TO PURCHASE to reference when shopping locally, ordering from your local store, or if you want to order from Dick Blick):

• Kit with block, carving and printing tools.(includes black ink -see below for ink color sets)

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• Individual components option: If you purchase or have this type of carving tools, (or something that does wood and lino like these), and buy soft/easy cut lino blocks separately (Dick Blick and art stores have these options- at stores they can be pink, grey or blue too--they should be soft and bendy), you can choose to buy an ink brayer and a black tube of ink (see below for color sets) and/or use stamp pads.
  
• • Stamp pad option: try Yellow Owl ink pads (available from Wet Paint in St. Paul, and elsewhere online) b/c the pad sticks up out of the base for easy inking, and the ink can be used on fabric too!

  
  

  OPTIONAL

• Paper: If you need to buy some, there are several options below of paper and cardstock,or you can source your own as long as it fits a 4x6" image and is not glossy or overly textured. Decent sketchbook paper works well! Or construction paper! We will likely print a couple of proofs on scrap paper, then students usually print 3-6 prints during the class. You can keep printing your block many times though, and carve and print the other side, so having extra paper is nice!

• • Pack of mixed media postcards

  • 50 pack of 9x12 paper $14 (can be folded to be a card, or cut in half for our block size, and used later for bigger blocks)

  • affordable 50-pack of beginner paper 6x9", good for proofing and printing$7 (6x9 doesn't quite accommodate two prints per page for our block size, but gives you a nice margin)

  • higher quality, 5x7" 20 sheets $5 (with the 5x7 pad, you'll get a .5" margin around your prints)

  • printmaking quality greeting cards $10 with envelopes with nice deckle (rough edge), pack of 20 (they have other colors and pack sizes too). ("printmaking" cards not necessary. The regular Strathmore greeting cards are good, or any mixed media card you find).

• EXTRA blocks, if you like (can be cut to stamp shapes or kept as rectangles)

• If you want color you can use colored paper, collage, add glitter and gel pen to your print, but if you are interested in colored inks too you can check these out now or in the future…

• • Pick individual or sets of colors of speedball tubes here (beginner type inks)

  • set for paper AND fabric (great for both applications, but esp. fabric)

  • Set of nicer colored inks (Caligo) or individual colors (more reliable color mixing etc)

 Any questions on materials or need help? email jessiemerriam@gmail.com

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Hosted by Jessie Merriam, Fireweed Woodblock instructor.  (@wheelbugs) Read her BIO

Taught by Kerri Mulcare of Carbon Copy Press (@carbon_copy_co)

Kerri (Mulcare) Sandve is an interdisciplinary artist and writer from St. Paul, MN working under the imprint Carbon Copy Co. Press. She creates printed matter in the form of artist books, zines, and screenprints, as well as sculptural paper works and collage.

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Pricing Transparency:

Cost breakdown for class:

Instructor receives $10

Admin receives $9

Website/zoom subscription $10