Friday, October 24th 5 pm - 7 pm and Saturday, October 25th 9 am - 4 pm

Unleash your creativity and discover relief printmaking! This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect entry point into block printing, whether you're an experienced artist or have no prior experience.

During this class, you will learn how to design, carve, and print your own unique imagery. Using soft wood blocks 4” x 4”, you'll create a single block that can be used to make multiples of your design. We will cover the entire process from start to finish in an accessible, step-by-step format.

At the end of the workshop, you will leave with your hand-carved block, a set of beautiful prints on paper, and the skills to continue block printing with basic tools.

What you'll learn

• The basics of relief printmaking: Understand the fundamentals of how a design is carved into a block and transferred onto paper.

• Design for print: Learn to create a design specifically suited for block printing, including how to plan for mirror-image printing.

• Safe carving techniques: Get familiar with carving tools and learn how to safely and effectively carve your design into a wood block.

• Inking and hand-printing: Master the use of a brayer to apply ink to your block and use a barren or hand printing press to create your prints.

• Creating multiples: Discover how to create multiple consistent prints (or an "edition") from your single carved block.

What's included

All necessary tools and materials are provided for use during the workshop.  Carving tools, inks, paper, and studio supplies. The image working size is 4" x 4" so feel free to start working on a drawing.

This workshop offers a relaxed and supportive environment for anyone curious about printmaking. It's a satisfying process that creates a strong sense of accomplishment.

• Final product: A set of unique, handcrafted prints and your own carved block.

• Skills: The foundational skills needed to continue creating relief prints independently.

• Atmosphere: A fun, creative, and inclusive space to explore a new art form.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is designed for complete beginners and requires no prior artistic or printmaking experience. All you need is your creativity! Class size will be limited to 10 and is only offered for Residents of Molokai.

Tamara Moan received her art training at the University of Washington, earning a BFA in graphic design in 1985. She later received an MA in literature and creative writing from the University of Hawaii. “I’m drawn to the natural world and the outdoor immediacy of weather, changing light, the shifting body of the sea, the power of land forms. What I try to put on paper is my response to my environment, creating a tangible object that represents my half of an exchange with that environment.

Denise Karabinus is dedicated to building community through creative collaborations. Her work has been featured in the Portland Museum of Art, Art in the Open in Philadelphia, the Printmaking Center of New Jersey, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the University of Fine Arts Hanoi. Denise serves as the Executive Director of the Honolulu Printmakers on Oahu.