Beginning Wood Engraving

Beginning Wood Engraving is a two-day, in-studio workshop intensive at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, led by printmaker and illustrator Mirka Hokkanen. Over the weekend of June 27–28, 2026, participants will be introduced to the detailed art of wood engraving—a technique that uses wood cut across the grain for exceptional hardness and durability, allowing for the tiniest of cuts and prints. Day one covers a brief history of wood engraving, basic tools and techniques, and work on a small sampler block. Day two focuses on sharpening gravers, continuing block work, registration, inking, and troubleshooting on a press, with tips for printing on different presses and by hand. Students should not expect to edition their blocks during class but will have press time to proof and practice printing. The workshop is designed for beginners with no previous experience necessary.

When: Saturday–Sunday, June 27–28, 2026, 10:30am–4:30pm each day.
Instructor: Mirka Hokkanen, a Finnish-American freelance illustrator, author, printmaker, board member of the Wood Engravers Network, and Illustrator Coordinator for the SCBWI Maryland chapter.
Level: Beginner – no previous experience necessary.
Registration closes: June 19, 2026.
Ticket price: $311.00 (includes a $32 materials fee for consumables provided in class). Note: At the time of this writing, tickets are no longer available.
Materials provided in class (covered by fee): 2 maple wood blocks, a sample block, ink, printmaking paper, newsprint, and other consumable supplies.
Materials students need to bring: Ideas or a sketch for an engraving that fits in a 3" x 4" space; 2–3 gravers (recommended: elliptic tint tool #3, square burin #4, round graver #54 – if buying only two, get either the elliptic or square plus the round graver); (optional) personal apron or clothes that can get inky; (optional) personal pencil, pen, or thin marker; (optional) sketchbook and/or notebook.
About the workshop structure: The two-day format includes hands-on instruction, demonstration, and time for practice. Students will leave with skills to create intricate prints, basic tools, and a block to edition.
Health and safety: View Pyramid Atlantic Art Center’s in-studio Health and Safety policies and Cancellation Policies online.
Testimonials from previous participants: “The instructor was fantastic! There was plenty of time to practice wood engraving and print our piece. I learned so much!” (Winter 2025 with Mirka Hokkanen). “The teacher did an excellent job breaking down the class into easy to follow steps. She was so encouraging. There was a wealth of resources and samples to look at and she was able to answer so many questions. It was an amazing class!” (Winter 2025 with Mirka Hokkanen).