Dry Point Painterly Botanicals with Charlotte Aldis * New 2026

Description

Using a simple ‘dry point’ tool, clear acetate and a photograph, a beautiful, handprinted image can be created without any previous printing or drawing experience.

With a photo or sketch of a flower as a starting point, I will demonstrate how to transform this into a drypoint etching – a centuries-old intaglio printmaking technique used by artists such as Mary Cassatt and Rembrandt. The process is environmentally safe and unlike traditional etching, does not use any acids – the image is simply scratched into the surface of the plate using a needle.

Throughout the day, you will learn how scratch, ink and print your image by hand on a small, table-top press. You will gradually add colours, building depth and tone to create beautiful painterly botanical prints.

At the end of the day, you will have a series of multiple varied prints to take home, which you can work into, stitch into if you wish,  or simply display in a frame as they are )

All printing materials will be provided and etching needles will be available to use. (please bring £8 to cover paper and ink)  Gloves and cleaning materials will be supplied but you will need to bring an apron or similar.