MARCH 14&15, 2026 Solarplate Etching with Trudy Rice
TRUDY RICE
Solar Plate Etching
Weekend workshop
March 14th & 15th
Time: 10am - 4pm
$495 / $450 members
Materials Provided
Details:
Join Trudy in a hands-on, workshop where you'll discover the magical world of Solar Plate Etching. Over the two days, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the process.
This non-toxic intaglio etching process uses the sun's natural UV and water instead of harmful acids and solvents to create remarkable results.
Trudy, an experienced artist who has worked with this medium for over a decade, will guide you through the process. She is deeply connected to the natural world. She uses mindful observation to create intricate layers of solar plate etchings that reflect the beauty of her specimens.
Discover the magic of solar plate etching in this immersive two-day workshop with artist and printmaker Trudy Rice. Using light, water and non-toxic materials, you’ll learn how to transform your drawings, photos and textures into dynamic prints that capture your artistic vision.
Across the two days you will:
- Explore the fundamentals of solar plate etching – from image preparation to exposing and developing plates
- Experiment with inking, colour and printing techniques on the press
- Create a series of prints to take home
- Work in a supportive, small-group environment with plenty of guidance
Perfect for beginners through to experienced artists wanting to expand their printmaking practice, this workshop offers a relaxed, inspiring space to play, learn and refine your skills.
Leave with a body of prints, new techniques under your belt, and a deeper appreciation for this beautiful, eco-friendly printmaking process.
Trudy has taught children and adults and worked in arts facilities around Australia and at Box Hill Institute in the Visual Arts Printmaking Department.
Take this opportunity to be inspired and unlock your creativity with Solar Plate Etching.
Solarplate Workshop
I would love participants to bring anything that inspires them, specimens, images, photographs or sketches.
PLATE SIZE PLATE SIZES: participants will work on plates sized A5 & A6, please keep these sizes in mind when preparing your sketches.
If you don’t have all the materials listed below, do not worry we will have items to share.
LIST OF MATERIALS TO BRING
(If you don’t have everything, that is fine - Trudy will bring things to share.)
2 small containers for water and ink
Brushes for ink work
Nib pen for ink work
Black pens (opaque)
HB Pencils in various shades
Rubber gloves for inking up (tight garden gloves are re-usable)
Ruler, Stanley knife for cutting, Cutting Matt
Pen & notebook, Apron, Closed toed shoes, Plastic scraper for spreading ink (if you have one)
Drawn Images, Photographs for reference
Note about using photographs to etch: If you have great photos you may like to have these photocopied onto a transparency film in black and white. Please keep in mind the A6 size of the solarplate and make your images slightly larger. The dark areas need to be dense enough to block the UV. If you have further questions don’t hesitate to ask.
I look forward to meeting you for an exciting weekend.
