2025 Woodcut Printmaking, “En Plein Air” with Michael Keyes

Maximum attendees: 10

Location: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Participant ability level: All Levels/Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

The sensation of carving basswood plywood with razor-sharp Japanese gouges to produce a wood block for printing handsome prints is fulfilling and productive! The goal for this class is to produce a small edition of 5 woodcut prints, carved and printed by each student.

Participants will be introduced to wood and paper types, carving tools, inks, brayers, and printing tools used in making woodcut prints.  We will discuss how to store and transport paper, ink, tools, and equipment, and how to make woodcut prints on site, “en plein air.”

Woodblocks, ink, paper, and accessories will be supplied, as well as carving tools to be lended for use. Participants must bring a 6” x 8” sketch or drawing as a reference for the woodcut print to be produced. To make a successful print, the drawing needs to be made up of bold shapes, and black lines need to be thick, while white lines can be either thick, or thin and delicate.

The instructor will demonstrate the steps to translate a black-and-white drawing into a dynamic woodcut print. The instructor will emphasize how to carve the block with shallow gouge marks, ensuring the optimum control of the print appearance.

Note: Entrance to Petrified Forest State Park is included in the registration price.