Indian Block Printing - Arnold Library - Adult Learning

Arnold Library, Nottingham

Key details

Date -
Sessions Saturday: 1pm - 3:30pm
No. sessions 2
Venue Arnold Library, Nottingham
For ages 19+
Group size 5 - 12
Cost FREE - £17.50

About this course

This course is for anyone that love pattern building and colour.  Over the course you gain the confidence to create prints with traditional craved blocks from Indian.  We look at the history of Indian Print Blocking and how Printing and Blocks are made in Indian today. 


Learners are required to provide their own substance to print onto this can be paper, or thin card or fabric, such as tote bags or pillow cases. 


Over the course we analyse patterns and look at the look at Pattern Theory – how it is an underlying structure in culture and the environment around us. We recreate patterns by repeating units; rotation, reflection, tiling of shapes.  Also look at layering of designs over each other. 

We look at Colour Theory – looking a colour wheel and see how colours can blend and complement each other. Also have an understanding of how colours can change a design mood. 

Look at Festival of Colours – Holi and other international festivals 

From discussion over the course individuals will gain understanding of the pros and cons of difference paints on the market and investigate method of using waste paint. 

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?   

  • Gain understanding equipment
  • Knowledge of Colour theory 
  • Design development and Structure Patterns  
  • Gain some understanding of artist and their use of patterns 
  • Know how to print with wooden blocks 

What you will need

  • Fabric – this can be anything such as old bed linen, tote bags or T-shirts 
  • Paper, Card to print on to 
  • If you have paints – Fabric paint if working on fabric which you want to wash, or any ready-mix paints such as craft acrylics 


Suggested Reading for the course -  

  • Title: Indian textiles, Author: Gillow, John, ISBN: 9780500291184 
  • Title: Indian art close-up Author: Dallapiccola, Anna L. (Anna Libera), 1944- ISBN: 9780714124865 
  • The practical book of colour therapy : step-by-step techniques to harness the healing powers of light and colour shown in over 250 photographs, Author: Lilly, Sue. ISBN: 9781844767540 


Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course  please visit our webpage for further information  https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/


To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

  • Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING.
  • Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.


You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking.  If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas:

  • Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
  • Greater London
  • Greater Manchester
  • Liverpool City Region
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
  • Tees Valley
  • West of England
  • West Midlands
  • West Yorkshire

Any questions?

Check the FAQs page, or get in touch:

Book online with Eventbrite

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