Inspired by the Archive: Cardboard Cut Printmaking with Charles Shearer RCA - Drawing inspiration from the work of Sheila Robinson
2 day course
3 & 4 June 2027
10am to 4pm
£295 including all materials
Born in Kirkwall, Orkney in 1956, Charles Shearer studied at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen and at the Royal College of Art, London, specialising in illustration. Since graduating in 1983, he has taught Illustration & Printmaking at numerous art schools and independent print workshops.
On this two-day course you will create a two-colour print using card plates with an image translated from a drawing or a painting of your choice. Cardboard cut is a form of collagraph printing but without the application of any textured elements to the surface. Sheila Robinson (1925–1988) was a British artist and illustrator and one of the Great Bardfield Artists, a group which included Edward Bawden, Michael Rothenstein, Eric Ravilious and Tirzah Garwood. With Charles, you will look closely at one of Robinson’s own card-cut plates as well as a print from the Curwen Archive to study her way of making these uniquely characterful prints. Charles was a student of Robinson’s at the Royal College of Art and was encouraged by her in the practice of print and illustration as well as introducing him to other members of the Bardfield group of artists, several of whom are represented in the Curwen archive.
Course structure
• Introductory talk & discussion about the process with numerous examples of Charles Shearer’s and Sheila Robinson’s work from the Curwen Archive
• Produce a sample piece testing out the card and tools
• Prepare, plan and cut a plate using a selected image from your sketchbook or a drawing
• Varnish your first plate and print proofs using an etching press
• Learn how to apply inks using the larger spindle rollers
• Prepare, plan and cut a second plate
• Learn methods of image transfer in preparing a second plate
• Print both plates together to create detailed complex layered illustrative prints
Pre course information
Please bring a sketchbook/notebook plus a selection of drawings or paintings to choose your image from.
Experience level
Suitable for those with some printing experience and wishing to expand their printing skill. This is an ambitious two-day course
Maximum 8 places
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Booking a course
All courses are for individuals aged 18 and over unless the specific course page states it is suitable for children or young adults. If you wish to enquire about anyone under 18 attending a general course, please call us on 01223 892380
For all courses except CPSC Certificate course
Full payment of the course fee is required when booking a place. A reserved place is not secure until full payment has been received.
If for any reason you are unable to attend, we will refund monies paid minus a £25 admin fee, as long as you cancel your place more than 1 month before the course start date.
For CPSC Certificate course
Payment for Term 1 is required when booking a place. A reserved place is not secure until this payment has been received. Payments for Terms 2 & 3 will be due at the end of the previous term. Payments for Terms 2 & 3 will be due before the first day of each term.
If for any reason prior to the commencement of the course you are unable to attend, we will refund monies paid minus a £25.00 admin fee, as long as you cancel your place more than 1 month before the course start date. Once you start the course on Term 1 you have committed to all 3 terms. Course transfers are at the discretion of Curwen Print Study Centre.
There is an option to book your place for £100 deposit. If you choose this option your place is secured. The balance of term 1 will be due 20 working days before the start of the course. If you cancel more than 20 working days before the course start date, we will refund monies paid minus a £25 admin fee. If your place is not cancelled during this timescale, and the balance is not paid then the deposit is non refundable. All other Terms & Conditions remain the same.
Curwen Print Study Centre reserves the right to cancel courses – a full refund will be made in these circumstances.
