Drypoint Etching

with Allie Sylvester

Friday 17 October 2025

10am - 4pm (arrive at 9.30 for coffee/tea)

£140

Drypoint etching is a printing technique which involves drawing with a sharp tool onto a surface which is then inked up and put through a press. It produces an image with fine lines with a distinct soft velvety burr. Allie will introduce a straightforward, accessible approach to using this method which anyone can grasp.

We will use autumnal seedheads and structures as inspiration and will spend some time gathering material in the garden at Damson Farm and base the initial drawings on their skeletal outlines.

After inking up the drawings we will put them through a traditional press. You will then have the option to work further detail into them with a various media such as watercolour and inks should you wish to. Allie will bring a variety of specialist papers for you to work with and you will leave with a small portfolio of A5 prints to take home.

This workshop is open to anyone interested in exploring a creative technique. You do not need to consider yourself ‘good’ at drawing’. Allie is a fun, generous tutor who will encourage you to enjoy the process and leave any judgements behind.

Allie Sylvester is an artist and printmaker based in Totnes, Devon. She originally trained in jewellery and metalwork before completing an MA in Fine Art Printmaking at Camberwell College of Art.

Refreshments

Alison will prepare a delicous vegetarian lunch including produce from the garden. There will be home made biscuits on arrival and we will end the day with tea and cake. If you have any specific dietary requests do let us know on the booking form.

What to Bring

Check the weather forecast before you travel and ensure you bring appropriate clothing, whether that’s waterproofs or sun hats, or possibly both!  You may wish to bring a notebook and camera too.

Getting Here

Directions will be emailed to you a couple of weeks before the workshop. Use Damson Farm rather than the postcode on Google Maps.

Cancellation policy

As a small business it’s not sustainable to offer refunds. However if you need to cancel your place up to 28 days before the event you will be offered a credit towards another workshop.   After that time, the offer only applies if we’ve been able to re-sell the place. It’s not possible to promote cancelled places for re-sale less than 4 days before the event.