Courses
Our latest selection of courses are designed to suit a variety of tastes and experience. We 'curate' our course programmes to range from introductory courses for beginners through to more advanced courses for the slightly more experienced, curious and print savvy. We've also got guest tutors from around the UK bringing their own special expertise and take on printmaking. Please see this seasons weekend, day and evening courses. If something takes your fancy but is sold out please ring to be put on the waiting list for the next one. Look out for the next courses for younger adults in October half-term, following on from the success of our Summer courses for 11+.
Course listings
Introduction to Screen Print
Evening Course
Learn to screen-print in 4 evenings.
Introduction to Print
Evening Course
Introduction to Print (4 evenings) Fridays 22nd September to Friday 13th October 6.00pm – 9.00pm
Expressive Print
Weekend Course
Expressive Print. Free yourself up with a new expressive way of working. You will be shown how to create vibrant multi-layered images using monoprint, drypoint and carborundum.
Collagraph Print
Weekend Course
Collagraph is a fun and accessible printmaking process where paint and textured materials are collaged onto the surface of the plate, the various textures of materials will hold or resist ink.
Developing your inspiration (ages 11 plus)
Short Course
This one day course is great for young people who love art and want to explore new techniques, or create an exciting final piece and for those interested in choosing GCSE/A Level and how to make their grades stand out! Any parents who would like to come and stay in the building we have wifi and a space to work.
Screenprinting fun (ages 11 plus)
Short Course
Looking for something creative to do in the holidays? Make new friends or bring a friend or parent, and spend the morning learning about the process of screen printing; you'll get a chance to practise doing it before being shown how to create your own artwork to make a two-coloured print. Any parents who would like to come and stay in the building we have wifi and a space to work.
Introduction to Lino
Evening Course
Intro to Lino Print (4 evenings) Initially we will explore single colour lino printing, focusing on the cut and variation, following this we will move on to reduction lino exploring colour as well as the cut of the lino.
Advanced Screenprinting
Evening Course
Much more than a basic introduction to screen printing, this course will take you to accomplished screen printer in the space of four evenings.
CMYK Lino Printing
Weekend Course
Relief printing has many possibilities and in this latest class with Guest Tutor Kevin Holdaway, we will be concentrating on the multiple block method. You will be working on a separate block for each colour, cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Screenprinting on paper with natural dyes
Weekend Course
An introduction to using natural dyes and plant-based pigments in your work. After learning how to mix ink from plant materials and natural dye extracts, you’ll spend the day screenprinting onto paper with these beautiful and natural colours.
The Art of Woodcut
Weekend Course
Come and spend a weekend creating simple but effective woodcuts. You will be shown the different natures and effects of cutting with plywood, MDF & pine and how to print on an Albion, Columbian or Gem press or by hand with a baren and/or a glass muller.
Introduction to Screenprint
Weekend Course
Over a weekend learn to screen-print in quick easy steps. You will come away with a small edition of screenprints and can go on to print further designs and editions.
Experiments with Wood Type
Short Course
Come and experiment with Wood Type to create unique symbols and patterns! This course is suitable for those with some prior experience of letterpress and a great follow on from our other one day letterpress course.
Photo Etching
Weekend Course
Presenting Guest Tutor Clare Phelan, this course is ideal for photographs or hand-drawn images; this specialist course offers hands on experience of etching images into steel plates prepared with specialist photo-etch emulsion, some experience of etching will be useful.
Mokuhangha
Weekend Course
Mokuhanga, or Japanese woodblock printing uses water-based inks with no need for a press, which makes it a versatile, accessible and non-toxic method of printmaking. Made famous by artists such as Hokusai an Hiroshige the technique dates back hundreds of years, and is still used by contemporary artists all over the world today.
The Complete Printmaker
Long Course
****Next year's Complete Printmaker course/s taking bookings for February 2024- January 2025 NOW****.
The Complete Book Arts
Long Course
We are currently taking expressions of interest for next year's Complete Book Artist course. The course is in the planning stage. We will look to conform details and dates in the coming weeks. The course runs over 30 weeks on Tuesday evenings. Last year's course ran March to December. (The dates on the front page of this post/listing are for general guidance only.) Please email andy@hotbedpress.org to sign up for early alerts as soon as course bookings are open, so you don't miss out!
The Complete Letterpress
Long Course
We are currently taking expressions of interest for next year's Complete Book Artist 2024. Please email andy@hotbedpress.org to sign up for early alerts as soon as course bookings are open, so you don't miss out! Please note that the dates on the front of this listing are for guidance only. New dates for 2024 will be set in the coming weeks.
Photopolymer Printing
Weekend Course
Using photographic imagery and hand drawn originals you will discover the subtle tonal qualities and fine detail available through photopolymer plates.
Letterpress Poetry Cards
Short Course
Letterpress Poetry Cards (Sunday) Enjoy a day learning the basics of letterpress printing.
Enquire about a course
faq's
We are happy to answer any questions on the phone but here are some commonly asked questions and answers below.
Do I need to be experienced to come on a course?
No experience necessary! Some courses are specifically designed for beginners; such as Introduction to Screenprint, Print or Letterpress, Painterly Screen-printing or The Art of Etching. Other courses such as Mokuhanga, Screen-printing with Natural Dyes or Photopolymer Printing are more tailored to those with some previous experience. However, if in doubt phone us to discuss.
How do I book a place on a course?
The best way to book a place is to phone us on 0161 743 3111. We always try to answer the phones. Our courses book up so quickly that we can be answering the phone all day whilst e-mails may take more time to get through every enquiry and still need us to phone or e-mail you back.
Do you take a deposit to reserve a place?
No. We only confirm bookings on full receipt of payment. We have found in the past that when people book only paying a deposit, it takes twice the time to take bookings and can get complicated when people don't confirm by the full payment and others want to book a place.
What materials do I need to bring?
Nothing! We provide all materials for courses. All we need you to bring is some inspiration and clothes you don't mind getting ink on. (In Winter it is best to dress up warm too.) You will receive an introduction letter letting you know what to prepare, such as drawings, photos, photocopies, collected images, and what size you can expect to work to.
Is food provided?
If you are on a day or weekend course please bring your own food. In our small kitchen we have tea, coffee, milk, and sugar and an urn as well as a microwave. The Co-op and Sainsburys are both nearby and we have the luxury of a couple of cafes nearby now with fancy coffee.
Do you have disabled access?
We are limited in our access, with the workshop situated on the first floor and no lifts. We purchased the building in 2017 with the aim to expand and create a fully accessible facility. Unfortunately our ambitions have been set back by covid and other challenges. We are still trying to get full funding to develop the building further and be fully accessible.
Do you have any teacher training courses?
We have Wednesday evening specific CPD teacher training sessions situated under short courses or please email our education officer on education@hotbedpress.org for the details of our latest courses or to discuss bespoke courses.
Membership
Come And Join Us
We welcome new members all year round. Anyone can join. You need a little bit of experience; but that can be from doing one of our weekend or evening courses, after which you can carry on and practice what you've learnt on the course. We've got a few types of membership to suit your purse or your time. Just g to our Membership section for more details.
Send us a message!
Let us know what you are enquiring about.