Summary:
The American Sign Museum is excited to welcome BIG INK back to their studios in May 2027 for an extraordinary opportunity to create a woodblock print on a truly monumental scale.
BIG INK’s unique blended-learning workshop combines online instruction with an in-person printing experience. Participants will begin at home, where they will follow an online master course led by BIG INK founder and instructor Lyell Castonguay. With a minimum of two months to work at their own pace, participants will learn how to develop a design, enlarge and transfer their image, carve a large-scale woodblock, create textures, sharpen carving tools, proof their work, fix mistakes, and more.
Then, Castonguay will bring The Big Tuna, a custom-designed giant mobile printing press, to the ASM. Participants will bring their completed woodblocks to Cincinnati, OH, and see their work professionally printed at an impressive scale, from 24 × 36 inches up to 40 × 96 inches.
No prior printmaking experience is necessary. Whether you are a first-time woodblock carver or an experienced printmaker looking to take your work to a new scale, BIG INK welcomes artists of all skill levels!
How To Participate:
STEP 1 – Register! You will be granted access to our Online Master Class and can start working on your project immediately.
STEP 2 – Carve a woodblock that is between 24 inches by 36 inches and 40 inches by 96 inches in dimension.
STEP 3 – Attend one in-person printing day, either Saturday, May 1 or Sunday, May 2, 2027. Choose your preference at registration.
During the print day, each artist will receive three impressions of their woodblock. Participants will also have the opportunity to lend a hand throughout the printing process by holding paper, hanging prints, and supporting fellow workshop participants. The collaborative atmosphere makes print day a chance not only to see your own work come to life, but also to connect with a community of artists working at an ambitious scale.
The printing sessions will also be open to the public, so friends, family, and visitors are welcome to stop by and watch these enormous woodblocks being printed on The Big Tuna.
Registration Deadline:
2/15/27
Workshop Details:
Saturday, May 1 or Sunday, May 2, 2027; choose your preference at registration.
Cincinnati, OH
Eighteen Participants Total
Beginner Friendly
$350 thru 12/31/26; $375 thereafter
Materials*
Scholarships*
Group Collaboration*
Utilize our Woodblock Printmaking Online Master Class after you register. Your instructor, Lyell Castonguay, will guide you through the process via hours of pre-recorded video instruction. Follow along as he demonstrates how to carve a woodblock at home and use the resource links in the class to purchase recommended materials.
Some artists have participated in BIG INK numerous times; others are just starting their journey. You can be inspired by what others create and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. See what other’s have created on Browse the Hall of Fame on our homepage for examples of what others have created!
Meet Lyell Castonguay in person and learn how to apply ink to your woodblock and press it onto paper. Castonguay is an award-winning illustrator and teacher who founded BIG INK in 2012 to inspire others to to carve woodcuts of amibitious scale.
Our mobile printing press, The Big Tuna, is legendary. It has produced thousands of impressions. Take tuna’s reins and snap a selfie!
Can I register for this workshop, having never carved a woodblock?
Beginners are welcome! You’ll learn the woodblock carving and printing process through online and in-person instruction.
What are highlights of participating in this experience?
What materials are included in this workshop?
BIG INK supplies consumable materials (ink, acid-free printing paper, newsprint, cleaning supplies), equipment, and assistance printing your woodblock.
What materials am I required to purchase?
You purchase wood and carving tools separately. BIG INK recommends carving with Power Grip brand tools. Our preferred substrates are Cherry Plywood, Shina Plywood, and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). Cherry plywood can be purchased on HomeDepot.com, Shina at McClain’s Printmaking, and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) at any local building supply store. The wood must be either 3/8″ or 1/2” in thickness. The cost of the material depends on the wood type and size. *An average materials cost estimate is $100.
Can my group register for this workshop?
*Three people can collaborate on carving a single board. Please list the names, emails, and social media handles of your group members at registration.
Are there size restrictions for my woodblock?
The minimum and maximum size is listed under the workshop summary.
Can I carve linoleum for this workshop?
No, workshop participants are required to carve wood. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is easy to carve and affordable.
Can I print in color for this workshop?
Due to limited time and working space, color printing cannot be accommodated. Your woodblock is printed on white Masa paper using black Speedball Oil-Based Relief Ink.
Can I register for multiple workshops in the same year?
Yes
Can I receive discounted registration?
Consider working with a team (up to three people, one board) to share the cost of the workshop. *Student scholarships are also available on a rolling basis.
What is this workshop’s refund policy?
Workshop registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another location.
What if a workshop is canceled?
If the organizer cancels a workshop, you will be given the option to transfer to another workshop within the same year. If you do not wish to transfer, you will receive a refund equal to the original registration price minus a $275 class subscription fee. The master class subscription stays active for one year, regardless of whether an in-person meeting occurs. The exception to this rule is if you have participated in a workshop within the past two years. In that case, you’ll receive a full refund if you do not wish to transfer to another workshop.
Am I required to attend both days of in-person instruction?
You are required to attend only one in-person instruction day, and you can choose your preferred day at time of registration.
Can I ship my woodblock to the venue where this workshop occurs?
You may ship your woodblock to the venue, but please let us know beforehand so we can inform our hosting partner. Also, please include a return label in the package.
What is the best way to transport an oversized woodblock?
We recommend cutting your woodblock in half, if it’s over 6 feet long, before carving. These sections can be pieced together on the press. Remember that each cut will create a thin white line in the finished print, so plan your design accordingly.
Will my information be kept private?
Your mailing address will be shared with our workshop hosting partners, Legion Paper and Speedball Art Products. Legion will send you a paper sample pack, and Speedball will send a sample kit of printmaking supplies. Otherwise, we do not share your information with third parties.
Who should I contact with additional questions?
Lyell Castonguay, contact@bigink.org.