The river and the woodcut print workshop with Gary Shinfield

This course requires a minimum of 6 participants to proceed. In this two day workshop you will work with the theme ‘interpretations of a river’. Day 1 Saturday 17th October Initially, brush and ink sketches will be made on thin paper exploring your connections to the subject. You will then be shown how to transfer images onto blocks, and introduced to carving tools and techniques. You will also be introduced to examples of woodcut prints with emphasis on layered images, where one block is printed over another. It will be explained how they were created, and their relevance to the workshop. You will be provided with 2 woodblocks, each 22.5 x 30 cms made from Shina plywood (easy to carve). Day 2 Saturday 24th October The carved woodblocks will be proofed and printed in various ways using transparent, colour inks. Various papers will be available suitable for woodcut printing. At the end of the workshop you will have made single prints from each woodcut and, various versions of both blocks printed together, or layered in different colour combinations. You will also be encouraged to combine woodcut prints with ink paintings. What do participants need to bring: Wear old clothes or an apron and closed-in shoes for safety. Bring your own refreshments, snacks and lunch. Materials fee $65 - this includes 2 Shina plywood blocks, 2 sheets of printmaking paper, printing inks, black ink for painting, Asian brush and Sumi paper, and tracing paper. About the tutor: Gary Shinfield is an Australian artist, graduating in 2004 with a Masters in Fine Art/Printmaking (by research) from COFA, University of NSW. Since then he has exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions. His practice focuses on works on paper, using various forms of print media, and, painting and drawing techniques. Works are often large scale, made in series and shown unframed. Images map journeys to site specific places in Australia and overseas, and, explore inner and outer responses. His approach is to respond to archaeology and environment of place with intuitive mark making, and, to explore the processes of making. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and acquired in public and private collections. Recent exhibitions include, Porous, a solo exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery NSW 2026; Uncertain Sanctuary, Sydney Printmakers at the Garden Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney 2026; and, Aggregate, Australian and New Zealand artists at Artpost, Hamilton NZ, 9 July – 1 August 2026. WEB: www.garyshinfield.info Covid Safety: Participants must checkin, wash or sanitise their hands immediately upon entering the workshop and maintain physical distancing whenever possible during class. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been directed to isolate, you must not attend class.