Current workshop programme – 2019

MDF for Printmakers | Rose Davies

Saturday and Sunday | March 16 and 17 | 11.00 – 4.00
Full / Keyholder members £60 | Ordinary members £75 | Non-member £95

This short course covers: safety, cutting, tools and tool maintenance, sealants, choosing the right papers and inks, printing with chine collé, printing by hand and press. At the end of two days you’ll have at least two original prints, one monochrome and one with colour, and enough know-how to get stuck into making your own original woodcut prints with MDF.

Q. Can you use MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) for woodcut prints?

A. Yes you can – as long as you get the technical details right.

Q. And how do I make sure that I get a nice quality print?

A. Again, it’s about getting the technical details right.

Q. And can I make these prints at home, without needing a specialist press?

A. Oh yes. But only if you get the technical details right.


Have a look in our PRINTMAKING section to see some work by John Abell on MDF.

There is also a short video showing some of the huge prints from his large graphic novel The Horse with the Human Heart that he brought to the studio in 2015.


Cyanotypes | Kara Seaman

Saturday and Sunday | March 30 and 31|11.00 – 4.00
Full / Keyholder members £65 | Ordinary members £80 | Non-member £95

This two day workshop will introduce the process of Cyanotype and the extraordinary range of source material that can be used. Textile artists may be interested to use it as a basis for further machine work/ appliqué and embroidery

The course will cover

Mixing the chemicals to produce a light sensitive working solution.

Choosing and coating a range of suitable substrates /papers . The emulsion can also be painted onto fabric for development as a textile piece.

This very versatile process will allow you to develop imagery through a wide range of sources.

Photographic imagery can be used if it is transferred to acetate/ transparency

Drawn / painted imagery on tracing paper or specialist drawing film

A wide range of ‘found’ objects can be used exploiting texture and shape with great subtlety

Cut paper shapes

Exposure and processing involves the control of a UV light source | washing out and drying

The first day will concentrate on exploring creative possibilities through a range of small experimental pieces. The second day will provide the opportunity to develop larger finished pieces.

For more information see our cyanotype techniques page


Introduction to BIG etching | Workshop with Andrew Baldwin

Etching Safely at Swansea Print Workshop

2 Day Workshop | Saturday and Sunday May 11 and 12 | Max 6 places
£100 Full/Keyholder member  |£110 Ordinary Member | £140 Non-member

BIG Safe Etching at SPW offers the printmaker a safer alternative in etching with the same level of creative opportunities as traditional materials without exposure to hazardous chemicals. For the beginner, BIG provides an accessible process for spontaneous and diverse mark-making. For the experienced printmaker, BIG provides a medium for consistent, excellent results.

This is a full introduction to the etching process and will include hard ground, soft ground, aquatint techniques using BIG grounds

See more detail here


Designing and Drawing a Fold Book | Anne Gullick

Saturday June 15 | 10.30- 4.00
Members £15.00 Non-members £ 20.00

Drawing in pen and ink to produce a fold book of your chosen images or theme. Washes can be applied in a variety of media , to enhance your work and provide colourful, tonal or monochromatic pages. An opportunity to spend a relaxing and creative day with the freedom to experiment in a range of media. No experience is necessary. A selection of materials will be available to use, with paper provided for your fold book. Do bring along any pens, inks, felt tips, fine liners, paints of your own.Some designs could be taken into print at a later workshop.


Screenprinting with paper stencils | Sarah Hopkins

2 Day Workshop Saturday and Sunday | June 29 | 30 || Max 6 places
£100 Full/Keyholder member  |£110 Ordinary Member | £140 Non-member

Those of you who are familiar with her work will know that she has her own unique approach to designing for print, capitalising on cut and torn paper stencils to build up the design through coloured layers. No coating of screens, no exposures – just cutting and a lot of thought!

This is a very open, non technical approach enabling great flexibility as you go through the design process.


Drawing and Designing day with with Kelly Stewart

Friday July 5 | 10.00 – 4.00
Full/ Keyholder member £30 | Ordinary Member £40 |Non Member £50


Creating Artist Postcard sets with Kelly Stewart Screenprinting

Saturday and Sunday July 6 and 7| 10.00-4.30
Full/ Keyholder member £110 | Ordinary Member £130 |Non Member £150

more details to follow soon


To book a place on a course please email jmford@ntlworld.com or call in the studio.

telephone calls can be taken on Tuesdays and Thursdays | 10.30 – 4.00

Please note: ALL COURSES must be paid in full to guarantee your place on the course. In the event you can’t attend, we will only refund any fees paid if we can fill your place.

Payment is by cheque | Cash | BACS TRANSFER | Card payments can be taken in the studio

BACS payment

Bank details Swansea Print Workshop | 08-92-50 | A/N 68226444

PLEASE NOTE | if you use this method of payment please send us an email to notify us that the payment has been made and we will send you a receipt and an acknowledgement that your place is reserved.