Explore creative printmaking with Kate Watkins
Printmaking Courses in Southampton & Hampshire
Join artist and printmaker Kate Watkins for hands-on courses in lino printing, cyanotype, and drypoint. Based near Southampton and running workshops across Hampshire, Kate offers friendly and inspiring sessions for both beginners and experienced creatives. Each course is designed to help you learn new techniques, experiment with materials, and build confidence in your own artistic style.
CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP
Join me for a fun and practical introduction to creating Cyanotype prints in the beautiful Itchen Valley country park.
The cost is £40 including parking and refreshments and booking is through the itchen valley website.
We’ll be using a selection of dried leaves, seaweed and photographic negatives to create prints on paper. You’ll also have time to gather a few plants of your own from the surrounding fields and experiment with wet cyanotype if we have time.
All materials are provided but if you’d like to bring a small selection of flowers/leaves etc to test out feel free. You’re advised to wear old clothes/wear an apron and bring sunglasses if the weather is good as we’ll be outside!
Any questions please get in touch. Booking is through the itchen valley website.
CYANOTYPE day WORKSHOP (RESCHEDULED)
Join me for a fun and practical full day workshop introducing you Cyanotype prints in the beautiful Hillier Gardens education centre in Romsey.
This workshop was rescheduled from May as I broke my ankle!
The cost is £90 including lunch and booking is through the Hillier Gardens website
We’ll be using a selection of dried leaves, seaweed and photographic negatives to create prints on paper. You’ll also have time to gather a few plants of your own from the surrounding fields and experiment with wet cyanotype and toning in the afternoon.
All materials are provided but if you’d like to bring a small selection of flowers/leaves etc to test out feel free. You’re advised to wear old clothes/wear an apron and bring sunglasses if the weather is good as we’ll be outside!
Any questions please get in touch.
DRYPOINT BEGINNERS
Join me for this full day workshop designing a drypoint print which will be inked and printed on dampened paper using etching inks and a portable etching press.
Drypoint prints are designs scratched into clear perspex sheets or metal with sharp scribe tools. we’ll be exploring different materials but mainly working with perspex and card on the day.
Ink is then added to the incised lines and the design printed on a press allowing multiple copies of the images to be taken.
The results look very similar to etching but have the advantage that you can trace your image so can create detailed designs with little drawing expertise.
Materials and images will be provided but you may wish to bring a small image Postcard size or A5 size to work from if you have a theme in mind.
During the session you will have the opportunity to print several copies of your design experimenting with different ways to add colour. You will get inky so please wear old clothes or an apron to wear.
Please book via Hillier Gardens website - we’ll be based in the education centre.
Any questions please get in touch
https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens/whatson/Dry-Nov26
CYANOTYPE day WORKSHOP
Join me for a fun and practical full day workshop introducing you Cyanotype prints in the beautiful Hillier Gardens education centre in Romsey.
The cost is £90 including lunch and booking is through the Hillier Gardens website
We’ll be using a selection of dried leaves, seaweed and photographic negatives to create prints on paper. You’ll also have time to gather a few plants of your own from the surrounding fields and experiment with wet cyanotype and toning in the afternoon.
All materials are provided but if you’d like to bring a small selection of flowers/leaves etc to test out feel free. You’re advised to wear old clothes/wear an apron and bring sunglasses if the weather is good as we’ll be outside!
Any questions please get in touch.
DRYPOINT BEGINNERS
Join me for a 2.5 hour workshop designing a simple drypoint print which will be inked and printed using etching inks and a portable press.
Drypoint prints are designs scratched into clear perspex sheets with sharp scribe tools. Ink is then add to the incised lines and the design printed on a press allowing multiple copies of the images to be taken. The results look very similar to etching but have the advantage that you can trace your image so can create detailed designs with little drawing expertise.
During the session you will have the opportunity to print several copies of your design experimenting with different ways to add colour. You will get inky so please wear old clothes or an apron to wear.
Please book via the southampton city art gallery pages
https://southamptonmuseumsandgallery.co.uk/events/collagraph-printmaking-march2026/
COLLAGRAPH WORKSHOP
Join me for a 2.5 hour workshop designing a simple collagraph block which will be inked and printed using etching inks and a portable press.
Collagraphs are printed collages where the pressure of the press enables fine details and textures to be transferred. We will use textured materials, card, craft knives and mark making tools to create nature inspired blocks.
During the session you will have the opportunity to cut and print your a single block and add colour in a variety of ways. You will get inky so please wear old clothes or an apron to wear.
Please book via the southampton city art gallery pages
https://southamptonmuseumsandgallery.co.uk/events/collagraph-printmaking-march2026/
Lino WoRKSHOP
Join me for a 3 hour workshop cutting and printing simple lino cut designs inspired by the work of William Morris. The workshop will be held at Arc (formerly the library) in Winchester, Hampshire. It compliments the exhibition on display in the main art gallery and we will be using flora and fauna as starting points.
During the session you will have the opportunity to cut and print your lino block in 1 and 2 colours and create a layered design.
Please book via the Arc workshop page https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/lino-print-making-workshop
CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP
A fun introduction to cyanotype printing at Itchen Valley country park, Hampshire UK.
We’ll use light sensitive chemicals on paper to turn with flora, materials and photographic negatives into vibrant blue prints using the power of the sun.
Materials provided & aprons available but you’re advised to wear old clothes.
CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP
A fun introduction to cyanotype printing at Brothers Farm flower barn in Wimborne, Dorset UK
We’ll use light sensitive chemicals on paper to turn with flora, materials and photographic negatives into vibrant blue prints using the power of the sun.
Materials provided & aprons available but you’re advised to wear old clothes.
Please book via the craft courses link below
DRYPOINT WORKSHOP
I’m pleased to say I’ll be teaching a morning workshop in drypoint printmaking at Itchen Valley Country Park in West End near Southampton on Thursday February 13th 2025.
We’ll be based in the newly opened classroom and producing prints by tracing woodland animal designs onto plastic plates and scratching into the surface with etching tools. The plates are then inked up before printing them on my portable press. Drypoint is one of my favourite printing techniques and I’ve used it successfully with students and artists of all ages.
Drypoint is an easy technique to learn and is suitable for beginners upwards. All materials will be provided but you are advised to wear old clothes as printing can be messy. You should leave with several copies of your design. If time allows you’ll have the chance to experiment with add colour using coloured inks and tissue.
The course runs from 10-12.30 and is just £35 with refreshments included. Booking is via the Itchen Valley country park website
YOUTUBE LINO PRINTING TUTORIAL
A beginners lino printing tutorial on youtube hosted by Kate Watkins which was made to go with the love to print lino and softcut kit
Creative printmaking courses in Southampton, Hampshire
Kate’s courses are designed for anyone with an interest in printmaking — from complete beginners to practising artists wanting to explore new techniques. Workshops include popular methods such as lino printing, cyanotype, and drypoint, giving you the chance to experiment with different styles and materials in a supportive environment.
Based near Southampton and teaching at venues across Hampshire, Kate’s courses attract students from Winchester, Portsmouth, and the wider region. Each workshop provides step-by-step guidance, high-quality materials, and plenty of opportunities to develop your confidence as a printmaker.
Whether you’re looking for a fun creative experience, a chance to develop professional skills, or simply a relaxing way to spend a weekend, these printmaking courses offer something unique. To keep learning at home, don’t forget to explore Kate’s blog and art kits.