Woodcut Printmaking en Plein Air at Denver Botanic Gardens

Woodcut Printmaking en Plein Air at Denver Botanic Gardens

Adult Class | Registration opens 2/3/2026 10:00 AM MST

1007 York St. Denver, CO 80206 United States
TBD
All
4/7/2026-5/5/2026
9:30 AM-12:30 PM MST on Tue
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$277.50
$235.87
$20.00

Woodcut Printmaking en Plein Air at Denver Botanic Gardens

Adult Class | Registration opens 2/3/2026 10:00 AM MST

Goal: for participants to produce edition(s) of 5 black and white fine-art woodcut prints from their sketch(es) or drawing(s) made “en plein air.” The drawing transfer, block carving, inking and printing can take place on location, depending on the participants’ acquisition of a small, portable table and camp stool, tool box, small portfolio, and collapsing 2-wheeled cart, and, of course, the weather. Otherwise, we will meet in a sheltered area.

Instruction: Participants will be introduced to wood and paper types, carving tools, inks, brayers, and printing tools (printing press not required) used in making woodcut prints. We will discuss how to store and safely transport paper, ink, tools, and equipment so that participants can set up shop in an outside location temporarily, in order to make woodcut prints “en plein air” (weather-dependent).

The cost of woodblocks, ink, proving paper, & supplies are covered in the lab fee. Carving tools are available for use as needed. Participants must bring a sketchbook or paper & pencils to produce a reference drawing for the print. A reference sketch is also necessary to have in advance in case it is not possible to go to an outside location.

Along the way, we will discuss sharpening and honing carving tools, the effects of hardness and porosity of wood, mixing oil-based ink to proper consistency, proper application of ink to the woodblock, hand-printing techniques to achieve desired results, and techniques to repair mistakes. We will also briefly discuss multi-block color prints, and "white line" color woodcut prints, & color reduction woodcut prints. To see more of Michael's works, visit his website: https://michaelkeyesarts.artspan.com/

  • Students should have some experience drawing in color.

    * This course will be held OFFSITE at Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St. Denver, CO 80206)
  • Required: color sketch of the proposed woodcut print. Pencils. Eraser. Colored pencils.


    Quality woodcut tools and equipment will be available for use.
Keyes, Michael
Michael Keyes

Michael J. Keyes Aurora, CO 720-579-8760. Michael is a painter & woodcut printmaker, & received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree from Wright State University in Dayton, OH, & a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree from Ohio State University in Columbus. His areas of specialty are drawing, painting, and printmaking. He uses pencil drawing as the “entry activity” and basis for painting and printmaking. He enjoys the tactile sensation of carving blocks of wood, & developing the dramatic starkness of imagery in the prints made from them. The woodcut prints range from-black-and-white, colored multi-block, or hand-colored prints. The subject matter of the prints includes winter landscapes, rural and urban scenes & events, & domestic still life scenes. He is a member of Park Hill Art Club, Aurora Artists Guild, Art Students League of Denver, & Red Delicious Press. His recent exhibitions include one-person shows at Red Delicious Press, Kaladi Coffee DU campus, Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) Gallery, & University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Health Sciences Library Gallery. Group Shows include “Traditional Printmaking,” at Core New Art Space, “Gateway to the Rockies” Exhibition at the Aurora History Museum, Members’ Exhibition at the Aurora Cultural Arts District Gallery, “Press Play,” at Lincoln Center for the Arts in Fort Collins, “Pressing Matters,” & “Saving Face” at Art Students League of Denver, Exhibition “528.0”, an exhibition of prints at the Arvada Center for the Arts, in conjunction with “MoPrint” (Month of Printmaking 2020). He won Award of Merit  (shared first place) at the Escalante Canyons Arts Festival, 'Best of Show'" at 'National Arts Program, Front Range Show', & ‘Best of Show’ at the Project Worthmore exhibition, “Our Neighbors, Our Selves".