May 2 @ 10:00 am – May 3 @ 4:00 pm
A Two-Day Workshop Experience
We are thrilled to welcome PN Farm Arts favorite Brian Tibbets back to the farm for a two-day workshop! Brian is a generous teacher, and block printing is a relatively low-cost, low-barrier way to begin making art that is part of a rich tradition spanning multiple cultures throughout the world.
From traditional Japanese woodcut block prints popular the world over; to the 2,000-year history of block printing on fabric in India; to the rich tradition of etching, wood engraving, and other printmaking techniques employed in Europe since the Renaissance—printmaking continues to make art accessible to the masses, both in terms of owning finished work and in terms of making it.
In this comprehensive two-day workshop, designed for both beginners and those with some experience, you’ll dive deep into the art of block printing through hands-on learning and exploration of single-color and multi-color techniques.
Day One: Foundations of Block Printing
- Introduction to block printing materials and tools
- Understanding different carving materials and their properties
- Basic image carving techniques using easy-cut materials
- Advanced carving techniques for linoleum and woodcut blocks
- Paper preparation and ink selection
- Printing techniques for creating clean, consistent editions
- Registration methods for precise printing
- Printing a test print for designing a numbered edition of a block print
Day Two: Multi-Color Techniques and the Provincetown Print
- Overview of multi-color block printing approaches
- Color theory and ink mixing for printmaking
- Registration systems for multiple colors
- Introduction to the Provincetown print: history, concept, and method
- Deep dive into Provincetown printing technique: working with a single block to produce multi-color prints
- Color overlay effects and transparency
- Alternative inking techniques including gradients and selective inking
- Creation of a Provincetown print edition
Throughout both days, participants will receive individual guidance and feedback while working at their own pace within the overall class schedule. More experienced participants will have opportunities to explore advanced techniques and push their creative boundaries. All participants will have the opportunity to produce test prints with instructor guidance of both a single-color print and a Provincetown print.
Materials Included
- Carving tools (for use during workshop)
- Easy-cut practice blocks
- Linoleum blocks
- Basic inking supplies
- Paper for printing
- Registration guides
- Safety equipment
What to Bring
- Sketches or reference images for your prints
- Apron or work clothes
- Notebook for taking notes
- Optional: any personal carving tools you prefer to use and your own water color, acrylic, tempera, etc. paints for Day 2.
Space is limited to ensure individual attention. All skill levels welcome. Participants must be 16 or older due to sharp tool usage.
Coffee, tea, water and light snacks will be provided. Please bring sack lunch and any special snacks you need (you will have access to fridge, stove and microwave if needed).
Accessibility Note: This workshop takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you before you commit to the workshop!
If you are in need of a full or partial scholarship to access this event, please email arts@pnfarm.com
About our teacher
Brian first began making visual art in his late teens, painting with oils on old vinyl roll-up window blinds found in the closet of his double-studio apartment. He took a handful of painting and mixed-media classes at Pacific Northwest College of Art and Portland Community College, but is primarily self-taught. He has shown work in group exhibitions, juried shows, and solo exhibitions at galleries, coffee shops, and bars around Portland since the late 1980s.
He began working primarily in block printing in the 2010s and is a member of Print Arts Northwest. A PAN Emerging Printmaking Resident in 2023/24, he is now in his third year as an instructor at Pacific Northwest Farm Arts. His printmaking practice continues to evolve as he experiments with new techniques and materials beyond the block.
He is also a professional musician and the author of four books of poetry and prose, and works as a nonprofit consultant, grants researcher, and grant writer.
