Color Woodcut Printmaking: Multi-block

02/02/2026 - 02/23/2026 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Level: All

Price

$222

Member Price

$188.7

Material Fee: 42

Room: 203 Printroom

200 Grant St Denver

Date	Session Times
02/02/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/09/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/16/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/23/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Color woodcut printmaking with the multi-block process has many advantages. It can be tightly controlled, but offers a range of possibilities. The artist creates a "key" block, prints with a dark color, and experiments with lighter colors to complete the image. The colors can range from bright, glowing, transparent, to subtle and gradual. A fun class with lots of creativity and color exploration. Bring a sketch to work from.

Course Objectives:

By completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate proficiency with color woodcut printmaking by:

Transferring a drawing to a woodblock;

Safely cutting and carving a “key” block of the main image;

Printing a proof of the “key” image, to transfer to a secondary block;

Cutting and carving color block(s), using the key image on the block as a guide;

Mixing and preparing color ink, applying color ink and printing color shapes, using a registration guide;

Printing key image onto the printed color background;

Placing finished prints on the drying rack, and using slip sheets to take them home.

Week 1: Introductions of instructor and participants. Introduction to color woodcuts, books of woodcuts, brief video of the process. Demonstration by the instructor. Transfer of sketch to woodblock. Begin carving.

Week 2: Continue carving key block. Print proofs of key image.

Week 3: Finish carving key block. Print key image. Experiment with color, using watercolor paints. Decide on color combination for the print. Carve secondary block(s). Print background color(s)

Week 4: Print final image

Michael Keyes

Color sketch of the proposed woodcut print
Pencils
Eraser
Colored pencils

A drawing suitable for making a color woodcut print, sized 5 1/2” x 7 1/2”

Quality woodcut tools and equipment will be available for use

Date	Session Times
02/02/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/09/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/16/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
02/23/2026	5:30 PM - 8:30 PM