An Introduction to Mezzotint with Stuart Brocklehurt

A two day workshop during which each student using pre-rocked plates, designs, engraves and prints a small mezzotint. The workshop timings will be confirmed closer to the time but will be 2 sessions of 6 hours each.

About the tutor 

A printmaker from the Calder Valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Stuart Brocklehurst has been making mezzotint prints for a number of years. A member of the International Mezzotint Society his mezzotint prints are held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Ekaterinberg, Russia and the Institute of printmaking at the University of Campinas in Brazil. As well as being held in private collections in Europe, North America and Asia they have been exhibited at galleries throughout the 

UK and internationally in the USA, Belgium, Russia (at the 4th and 5th International Mezzotint Festivals) and in Brazil.

www.stuartbrocklehurstprints.blogspot.com 

Day One Students are shown a portfolio of original mezzotints and given a demonstration in the use of the rocker and manner of rocking the plate to prepare the mezzotint ground. Students are then taught correct handling of scrapers and burnishing tools used to alter the mezzotint ground. Using their own designs students are helped to transfer the image on to the plate and guidance given in starting to engrave the plate. Towards the end of the first day students will be shown how to ink and wipe their plates and print a first impression to check progress.

Day Two Students are coached through the engraving process using the first proofs as a guide to where further work is required on the plate in preparation for pulling further state proofs later in the day. 

Supplies Plates: Students are provided with a 70mm x 100mm copper plate with a ground pre-rocked in 24 directions.

Tools: Students may use their own scrapers and burnishers if they have them but a selection of tools will be made available for use during the workshop. A hard pencil either H or 2H will be needed to transfer the design to the plate.

Printing Materials: Each student will be provided with 10 sheets of paper for proofing and carbon paper for transferring designs to the plate.

Considerations when preparing an image for mezzotint work 

Unique among intaglio processes, mezzotint prints are worked from dark to light. Any work done on the plate creates tones moving through progressively lighter greys to white. For the purposes of the workshop it would be best to begin with a relatively simple image with a strong light and dark contrast. Rather than working in pencil on white paper it may help to make preliminary studies in white crayon on black paper. Carbon paper for transferring designs on to the plate will be provided. 

The cost of the workshop is £55 per day, £110 for the 2 days - both days must be booked. Tea and coffee refreshments will be provided in the room - the cafe will be open on Saturday only so please bear this in mind for lunch.

The whole amount for the weekend is payable upfront however contact Emma at arts@castleparkarts.co.uk if you wish to split the payment.