Explorations in Lino

Delve into the world of lino printing in this 10-week beginners course. Learn carving techniques, experiment with mark making and explore a range of exciting processes including reduction, shaped plates, chine-collé and hand colouring to create a range of unique prints.

Guided by tutor Jo, you will learn about the lino printing process, be able to use cutting tools safely and effectively, understand how to print plates with a variety of inks, papers and printing processes and experiment with a range of techniques including reduction, shaped plates, chine-collé and hand painting.

Week 1

Introduction to the basic tools through demonstration and learn how to carve lino exploring the use of mark making, with one-to-one help. Explore suitability of images through discussion and identify key characteristics that could be developed into a print, with a focus on strong shapes/outlines. Learn about the needed to ink up a plate and how take a print by hand.

Week 2

Explore how to make different marks with the carving tools and through demonstration learn how to create textures in a print. Experiment with the printing process with a focus on colour mixing and through discussion plan a colour palette. Experiment with inking up and registration processes to create multiple prints.

Week 3

Using one to one support, develop a design for your print and learn through demonstration how to transfer your drawing onto the lino and begin carving the white areas away. Through demonstration understand how to ink up a plate to take a basic print.

Week 4

Learn about the reduction method and how to create a multicoloured print using one plate. Learn how to set up a registration jig to ensure successful multi-layered prints.

Week 5

Explore how to layer prints, printing 2-3 colours. Discuss the process of working light to dark and dark to light.

Week 6

Discuss and explore the use of multiple plates. Experiment with overlapping plates, rotating and offsetting, gain an understanding of how to use a printing press and explore printing on different thickness papers.

Week 7

Develop your own designs with one-to-one support. Learn, through demonstration, how to materials look after your tools and equipment and how to sharpen your lino cutters.

Week 8

Create a series of prints through example work, discussion and demonstration. Explore the technique a Chine-collé through demonstration and how to apply it to your own prints. Discuss and explore the possibilities of using lino to print onto other surfaces such as fabric, wrapping paper etc.

Week 9

Explore the use of shaped plates and stamps to create focal points or accents of colour in your work. Learn about masks and how to use them to block out areas or experiment with them to create a new print design.

Week 10

Experiment with ways to hand colour prints and explore collaging print to create a unique artwork. By the end of the course you will have created a series of unique prints to take home.

About the tutor:

Tutor Jo Shearer is an artist and art educator living and working in Leicestershire. Her belief is that art is for everyone. It is another language for expressing and communicating our experiences, thoughts and emotions which often reflect the world around us and how we fit into it. Art can demonstrate a tremendous level of skill and be aesthetically pleasing; however, the greatest strength is in its capacity to express and unite people. Jo studied Visual BA (Hons) Arts and English Literature and a PGCE in secondary art. She taught in schools and colleges in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire for over 10 years. After leaving mainstream education she continued her love of teaching through tutoring and went on to develop workshops like this one. She enjoys the freedom to work in a variety of media and has an ever-increasing love for print. She enjoys nurturing creativity and developing individuals’ skills to build confidence in their own work as well as evoking a sense of calm and release of emotions through the process of making. Her personal work explores the spaces that we inhabit, the collection of experiences and emotions that connect us to a place and the inherent beauty of the natural world in all its forms.

Further information:

This 10-week course will run on Tuesday afternoons, 1.30-4.30pm, starting on 13 January, with the final session on 24 March 2026.

Please note: no session 17 February 2026 (half term break).

All materials and equipment will be provided. Please come in old clothes and/or bring an apron as printing can get messy!

Participants must be aged 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you’d like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road.

The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).