An introduction to printing without a press for sketchbooks and journals

Course aim

An opportunity to develop and experiment with a range of low-tech, printing techniques that do not require a press or lots of equipment. This course is idea for those wishing to expand their use of materials as part of a sketchbook.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

• You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
• This course is suitable for beginners and improvers

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• Understand and use simple print techniques that can be developed at home
• Make a set of sketchbook or creative journal pages that explore each print technique
• Troubleshoot any print issues so that consistent results are achieved
• Explore sketchbook and creative journal themes so that you can develop a small body of work
• Annotate your work so that you can explain the process you have used or the ideas you have explored

How will I be taught?

• The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
• You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning

What else do I need to know?

• What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• A sketchbook Art equipment - a covered work surface, apron, scissors and/or craft knife, cutting mat and metal ruler, glue, inks and paints, cardboard, collage materials and paper. A more detailed kit list will be available after enrolment.

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next