Course description
This course aims to
Offer a broad range of fabric printing techniques, providing a broad hands–on introduction to block printing, screenprinting and free ways of working on fabric.
Who is this course is for?
The course is for all levels from complete beginners to experienced students. More experienced students may use it as a refresher and / or to develop new ways of working.
What will I be able to do by the end of the course?
• be able to work freely on fabric using handpainting and monoprint techniques
• screenprint using paper stencils and found materials
• construct and print a 1 or 2 colour printing block
• combine printing methods together
• be able to mix and extend inks
• have practical knowledge of health and safety issues with regard to inks and equipment
What materials will I need?
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these for the first session, we will be discussing our materials then.100% plain white cotton fabric (N.B. tutor will provide this for the first session), apron, pen, pencil, rubber, scissors, sketchbook/notebook, a few brushes (nothing fancy - a 1-2 inch decorators brush and a couple of smaller oil-type painting brushes, stiff bristle brushes, foam brushes), a paint pallette, newspaper, and old t-shirts to use as rags. Useful but not essential – ruler or tape measure, small set of coloured pencils, small craft knife.
Roughly how much will they cost?
100% plain white cotton fabric will cost around £3.50 per metre - the amount you need will depend on the size of your work! The other art materials needed for the course will cost between £5-10 in total.
How will I know I am making progress?
Evaluation of progress is carried out as a tutor and student partnership. There will be plenty of opportunity for one to one feedback and discussion with the tutor. We will use RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement) which is an evaluation form that the Friends Centre and other colleges use as a way of recording student progress at the beginning, middle and end of a course. On the first day of the class we will discuss our goals for the course and these will form the basis of our evaluation of student progress.
Is there any extra study outside the class?
There is no formal study expected outside of the class. Students may wish to work on ideas within sketchbooks, prepare stencils and blocks or research other textile designers or artists work within their own time.
Who is the tutor?
Cath Bristow has been teaching printmaking within adult education for 13 years. She trained at Dartington College of Arts, Devon where she gained a BA (Hons) in Art and Social context, specialising in printmaking. She went on to gain an M.A. in textiles at Goldsmiths College, London. Cath specialises in community print, working with Cloth of Gold, an arts organisation based in London, running printmaking workshops and residencies in schools, museums and public spaces. Cath recently worked in collaboration with a dancer, producing large textile printed hangings as part of a creative partnerships year long residency at St Lukes Primary school, Brighton. She is also a practising printmaker specialising in Linocut and a regular exhibitor in the artists’ open house during the May festival.
What next?
Students can return to the course to learn further techniques. They can also follow one of the all day Saturday printed textiles or printmaking workshops running here or at City College. Students may like to enrol on Printmaking for Everyone’ at Friends Centre, this course covers printmaking on paper; some of the techniques learned within the fabric printing course will be transferable to this course. Some students may enjoy joining an embroidery/machine embroidery class where they can learn to further embellish their fabric prints, or a pattern cutting course where they could learn to make garments using their own printed fabric, both of which are offered at Friends Centre.
Student Support
At the Friends Centre we are committed to meeting the learning needs of all our students.
We would like to know if you have a disability or impairment such as partially sighted, deaf or hearing impaired, mobility problems or wheelchair user, a mental health difficulty such as depression or anxiety, or a medical condition such as epilepsy or ME. We would also like to know if you are dyslexic, dyscalculic, or dyspraxic. This way we can work with you to make sure you have the support you need while you are studying with us. We also offer classes and support in literacy, maths and IT for anyone who thinks they need some help in those areas. To arrange a confidential interview with our Advice and Guidance Officer, Pat Rosine please call 01273 810210 or email p.rosine@friendscentre.org
Closure of courses
All courses that do not reach minimum numbers will be closed. Before we close a course, providing numbers are reasonable, we discuss with the tutor, and students if the course has started, if there are any ways we could continue. These can include an increased fee, a shorter class time or running for fewer weeks.
Refunds
Refunds are made automatically if the Centre cancels a course. Partial refunds will be made if a course is cancelled before the end of term. Otherwise fees are not refunded, except in very exceptional personal circumstances. Requests for a refund should be made in writing to the Friends Centre. If your attendance is prevented by illness we will be sympathetic but a medical certificate will be required.
Kinsella Hardship Fund
We have a small fund available to help students who have a problem paying fees. Please apply in writing to the Friends Centre, in complete confidence, explaining the reasons for your application. We may be able to offer a reduction of up to half the reduced fee or allow you to pay in instalments over a longer period than usual.
Contact details for this course
Please contact GAE to enrol on this course or for more information.
Contact name
Support Officer Oliver Fisher
Post
Brighton Junction,
Isetta Square,
Brighton,
BN1 4GQ
Telephone
01273 810210
