Blog

I’m a linocut artist based in a small village on the Norfolk/Suffolk borders. Art was the only subject I enjoyed at school and actually felt I was good at. However, it took nearly 40 years plus voluntary redundancy and children leaving home for me to find the time to rekindle that love. Describe your printmaking … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Gill Thornton"

There are lots of different blocks available to make your own stamps. Unlike linocut blocks, stamp blocks are designed to be cut into smaller shaped pieces. We have tested four of our blocks to help you decide which is the best block for your project and budget:Pink Speedy Carve, white Mastercut, blue Speedy Carve Easy … Continue reading "Printing with Different Stamping Blocks"

We, Amy and Louise, started Ruby and Bean because we wanted to provide a range of clothing which not only gave positive messages to all who wore them but also a range of clothing that would suit the demands of an entire family – being able to buy for all the family under one roof … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Ruby & Bean"

Tjantings (or cantings) are beautiful Javanese tools for applying wax to cloth when making a batik. They have a long handle and a little copper or brass pot with a spout from which melted wax is let out. Read more

I’m an Illustrator, Printmaker and Arts Educator based in Margate.  I used to love drawing as child but it took a long time to find my way back to art, spending my twenties in a variety of unfulfilling jobs before studying Digital Design at the London College of Communication.  After a few years of being … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Mat Pringle"

Sgraffito is a fast batik technique in which positive marks are scratched into the surface of the wax and filled with ink. Use sgraffito in combination with other batik methods or make a speedy sgraffito batik like in the project below: Begin by pinning out your fabric. Pre-washed, 100% cotton works best – we use … Continue reading "How to Make a Sgraffito Batik"

I’m Christina, also known by the moniker Tweeny. I’m a designer by day, living and working in the beautiful city of Bath, and an artist-printmaker in my free time. I mainly do lino printing, but like to experiment with other processes. Describe your printmaking process. I tend to sketch out ideas first, either on paper … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Tweeny"

We are very lucky to have Jamie Barnes in the studio teaching Aquatint Etching in April 2020! Join us for the weekend or weekday workshop and read on for more information about Jamie and his beautiful work. Describe your printmaking process. I make etchings about structures in the landscape and on the coast, so everything … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Jamie Barnes"

This week’s blog post has been created with Sophie, our fantastic work experience student! Over this past week, I have been doing work experience. It has been an amazing opportunity and I have leant some great new skills. Yesterday I tried screen printing, I drew out my own designs which I used in three different … Continue reading "Screen Printing onto Fabric with Translucent Colours"

I’m Chris Pig, an artist printmaker living in Frome with my family. I am director of a small teaching/professional studio Black Pig Printmaking Studio. I designed it myself and managed the project and am very proud of what it has become. Recently I’ve been collaborating a lot with academics, historians who study prints and drawings … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Chris Pig"

Printmaker Steve Edwards will be joining us in the Handprinted Studio to teach Multi-Block Etched Lino on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2020! How and where did you learn to print? Hello my name is Steve Edwards, and I make prints. I was a part-time graphic designer for many years but have always had … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Steve Edwards"

Mono-screen printing is a great way of loosening up your printing style and producing a series of quick, spontaneous prints. Use as a standalone technique or in conjunction with photographic exposed screens, paper stencils and more. We are using a screen that has been exposed using photo emulsion to leave an open rectangle of mesh … Continue reading "Mono-Screen Printing"

Describe your printmaking process. Ideas come first and they can come from anywhere! Landscape and the immediate natural environment is a constant source. I draw and refine and draw again. I collect colours from nature, from magazines, from other people’s work. I like to mess about with different print methods and don’t get to hung … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Sue England"

This is a really quick, easy and inexpensive way to change the look of your indoor potted plants. Create a streamlined paper cover printed with your own design. Read on for full instructions or scroll to the bottom for a video of the whole process. You will need a large piece of stiff paper or … Continue reading "Block Printed Plant Pot Cover"

We have had a huge selection of amazing printmakers for year’s Meet the Maker feature. Take a look through our 2019 list to remind yourself of our makers and catch up of those you may have missed. Start 2020 with a dose of inspiration by reading through all the advice given out from all our … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: 2019"

We’ve had another fantastic year in the Handprinted Studio. We are so grateful to everyone who supports us by attending workshops and events, using the studio or teaching with us – thank you! Here are just a few examples of the amazing work made in the studio this year. This small sample shows examples of … Continue reading "Handprinted Studio 2019"

Use vegetables to print name place cards and gift tags. This quick, easy Christmas make is a perfect way to get the kids involved! Raid your fridge and grab a few veggies for this quick printing project. Carefully slice your chosen vegetables in half (adults only please!) Cutting them through the root or stem should … Continue reading "Christmas Veg Printed Place Names & Tags"

Describe your printmaking process. We have worked exclusively with eco-friendly water-based inks since the very early days in 2006 and screen print and digitally print most garments.  We still print some garments by hand but also have an automatic screen printing carousel now, which means we can offer eco-friendly screen printing for large scale print … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: I Dress Myself"

Shirley’s star garland is a beautiful and colourful addition to your home this Christmas! Begin with several sheets of stars – print Shirley’s star template A4 page here. This long garland used 8 sheets of stars. Use whatever paper that can go through your printer – Shirley is using Kent which is thin enough to … Continue reading "Handprinted Christmas Project: Shirley’s Star Garland"

Every year we buy so much gift wrap that is only enjoyed for seconds before being thrown away. Bridget’s furoshiki fabric wrapping can be used over and over again and makes a great addition to a gift! Furoshiki is a beautiful Japanese way of wrapping parcels for gifts and travel. Use scraps of fabric leftover … Continue reading "Handprinted Christmas Project: Bridget’s Furoshiki Fabric Wrapping"