Colour Intaglio

Develop multi-colour etching techniques in this 3 day course.

Key details

Location

Falmouth Campus

Course duration

3 days

Course overview

Come and immerse yourself in the creative practice of colour intaglio in our professional-standard printmaking facilities.

You’ll learn to prep and etch a test plate, then explore different etching and drypoint processes.

We’ll look at various intaglio colour techniques that allow you to utilise colour in your prints, and after plenty of time for creative exploration and play you’ll create a final multi-colour print.

Tuition fees per individual: £375

Location: Printmaking Centre, Falmouth Campus

Duration: 3 days

How to apply

See course dates below that are available to book.

Upcoming Short Courses

Colour Intaglio

Mon 21 Jul 2025

3-day course | 21 - 23 July | £375

Colour Intaglio

In-person

Come and immerse yourself in the creative practice of colour intaglio in our professional-standard p...

Colour Intaglio

If no upcoming Short Courses are displayed above, get in touch with us for more information.

Course details

Join us for this 3-day printmaking course studying intaglio colour techniques. We'll start with an introduction to our fantastic printmaking space, then we’ll immerse ourselves in a series of taught workshops and skills development sessions exploring etching and drypoint printmaking.

Intaglio is the inking and printing of marks and textures held below the surface of a plate matrix, and etching and drypoint are included within this family of printmaking processes.

Over 3 days, you'll learn about and explore various etching techniques including hard and soft grounds, open bite, aquatint and white ground which will allow you to develop hand-made imagery in intaglio print.

We'll use nitric solution to etch surface marks and textures on to zinc plate which you will then ink and print using various applications and colours.

You will be introduced to the direct, non-chemical process of drypoint along with multi-plate printing which will allow you to combine your intaglio plates in multiple colours in a finished print.

This is an experimental course with plenty of scope for play, and the expectation that you will leave with a varied range of prints on good quality etching paper. It’s suitable for anyone creative who’d like to explore printmaking, no previous knowledge is required. You’ll take all your work home with you at the end of the course.

The course will conclude with an informal peer review of each participant’s work. All materials are included in the course fee using professional-standard printmaking supplies, and tea/coffee each day. 

This is an outline of what to expect for this course. Over the course of 2 days, you’ll work in our exceptional printmaking facilities supported by our technical team and we’ll cover:

Day 1

After an introduction to the Printmaking Centre and a look at some examples, Becky will talk you through the process of preparing your zinc plate, applying various grounds followed by drawing and etching.

You’ll learn the techniques of printing successfully and begin using colour inks. During the day we'll explore open bite etching, à la poupée inking and rollovers.

Day 2

Becky will start the day with a demo in aquatint techniques, which will allow you to develop tonal values within your etched image. Printing will continue with careful evaluations of colour and inking technique.

During the afternoon we’ll focus on 2-plate multi colour prints using quickly made drypoint plates.

Day 3

After learning how to prepare paper and register your prints successfully, you’ll spend the final day using the skills you've learned, with Becky’s support, to make a series or an edition of colour intaglio prints on good quality paper.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for all adults, whether you’re a beginner who’d like to spend 3 days exploring etching with us or whether you’ve got some previous printmaking experience and wish to develop your knowledge in our facilities.

What we'll provide

All materials and specialist tools and equipment required are included in the course fee, however you may wish to bring your own drawing materials and paper if preferred. 

Becky Haughton

This course is facilitated by Becky Haughton.

Becky Haughton works as a senior technician in printmaking; instructing and supporting students and staff in a range of traditional print processes at the Falmouth Campus printmaking workshops. She specialises in monotype, etching, photo etching, relief and screen printing and works with students based at the Falmouth Campus. She has particular responsibility for introducing BA(Hons) Illustration students to the workshop.

Find out more

You’ll be engaging in hands-on processes and techniques throughout the course in our exceptional printmaking facilities.

Arrival: 9.30am (welcome and refreshments) 

Morning workshop: 10am – 1pm 

Afternoon workshop: 2pm – 5pm 

Source material - any drawings/prints/photos you wish to work from 
Overalls, an apron or old clothing you don't mind getting messy! 
Shoes which have full foot coverage - i.e. no open-toed sandals, flip flips, etc.  
Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.

All equipment and materials required are provided, however you may wish to bring your own drawing materials if preferred. 

All materials and specialist tools and equipment required are included in the course fee, however you may wish to bring your own drawing materials and paper if preferred. 

Tea/coffee is included each day.

This course is taught in our exceptional Printmaking facilities on our Falmouth Campus.  

Our Falmouth Campus can be reached via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.  

For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page. 

This course is open to all adults with no prerequisite knowledge, it’s suitable for all abilities.

Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options. 

How to apply

To apply for this course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Tuition fees per individual: £375