Learn everything you need to know about block printing and carving your own stamps!

This online course with experienced artist, author and tutor Susan Yeates, teaches you everything that you need to know about creating your own block prints. 

Block printing is a really accessible form of printmaking and easy to do in a small space and with limited materials. This course shows you exactly what you need to get started and talks you through the whole process from coming up with designs (you don't even need to draw!), to cutting the block and inking using ink pads OR block printing ink. 

The course shows LOADS of examples of Susan's own work, includes some super-handy tips and advice on tools and materials. 

This course is suitable for beginners or anyone looking to have a play with block printing. 

On this page you will find full information on what is covered in the course plus example videos and images from the course itself. 

This special block printing course is PACKED full of advice and practical demonstrations as I open up my home studio and show you my exact processes and techniques.

The course is broken down into a number of sections that each explain a stage of the process. Each section is further broken down into lessons and videos, which you can work through in order and tick off as you go along. Plus there are a number of projects at the end for you to practice your skills. 

With detailed explanations and over-head videos of me actually preparing, cutting and printing, this really is the perfect class for those wishing to get started with block printing and stamping. 

This course is perfect for:

Block printing is a type of relief printing created by using a rubber block as the printing plate that you cut into using metal gouges. With relief printing, the material that is removed does not print, therefore making it a negative mark-making technique (as in it’s a little back-to-front). Woodcut, wood engraving and linocut are also relief printing methods as is potato printing that you may have done as a kid or rubber stamping where you buy pre-cut stamps and ink pads from craft shops.

I will be using SpeedyCarve by Speedball as the block (a soft pink rubber block 6mm thick) for the purposes of this course but there are plenty of alternatives available to you. I will discuss materials in more detail in the course.

One of the main advantages of block printing in the way I will show in this course is its immediacy and ease of printing. With a soft rubber block you can both print in a traditional way using block printing ink but also use ink pads so that the block can be stamped down. I will demonstrate both methods in this course. 

I love block printing and think it is such a wonderful way to get started with printmaking using just a few materials and requiring just a small amount of space. The way that I teach this is slightly different to how I teach linoprinting but there are a number of similarities too! 

By enrolling on the course, you gain instant access to the online learning portal where you will find all of your course materials and guidance. This includes explanatory videos with me, demonstration videos, written instructions, plenty of images, tips and suggestions. 

This online course can be enrolled on at any time of year and once you are here, you have ongoing access to the videos. You can work through at your own pace, watch at your convenience and return to re-watch any videos as often as you need.

Oh, plus I also have a student Facebook Support group for everyone working through my online printmaking courses. Here you can meet other students studying with me from across the world, share your work and get feedback on your progress.