Taupo Printmaking Retreat

Friday, October 24, 2025 3:00 PM
Monday, October 27, 2025 5:00 PM

Google Calendar ICS

Taupo Printmaking Retreat

October 24th - 27th 2025

Relax, unwind and get creative

Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in a weekend of creativity and relaxation. Unwind in the tranquil setting of Lake Taupō, with all your home cooked meals and cosy accommodation taken care of, while you explore the art of printingmaking. Whether you're looking to recharge from a busy job or take a break from family life, this all-inclusive workshop is your perfect retreat to unwind, create, and connect with like-minded individuals.

4 Printmaking Workshops

Exploring Printmaking

Have you always wanted to give printmaking a go, but don’t know where to start? These are three great mini workshops so come along and try, no prior experience required and all materials provided with step by step tution.

You will be able to continue printmaking at home. No printing press required.

There are 3 x 3 hour workshops

Monoprinting with gel plates
Drypoint Etching
Linocut Printing

After trying all three workshops you will have a day and a half to explore and learn more about your chosen printmaking technique.

As the retreat is for only 8 guests. Sally-Ann has 2O years of teaching printmaking to children and adults so she will be able to provide you with step by step tuition.

Monoprinting with Gell Plates

Monoprinting is an easy and fun way to learn about printmaking. The gell plates are a clear gelatinous, floppy slab that you can roll paints or inks onto and then place stencils or organic shapes like leaves, to create your prints.

You will learn how to layer colours and textures. Creating gorgeous prints with stencils, stamps, organic materials and drawing techniques.

I will provide you with a recipe so you can make your own plates, way cheaper than the manufactured ones. This way you can continue making your own gell plate prints at home.

Drypoint Etching

Take your drawings to the next level. In this workshop you will learn the unique and sensitive printmaking process of drypoint etching. This process is where the surface of a plate such as PVC is scratched into using a sharp point, creating a burr. Ink is applied to the surface of the plate and the burr catches and holds the ink. The plate is then wiped back with fabric leaving the ink in the scratch lines, creating beautiful results when printed just with a spoon. Don’t worry if you think you can’t draw. There are plenty of ideas you can trace.

Linocut Printing

Reduction linocut is a printmaking method that involves carving a single linoleum block to create a multi-coloured, multi-layered print.

If you have never carved and printed with lino before, or have a vague memory of doing it at school, don’t worry, I will lead you step by step through the linocut printing process, learning how to use carving tools, then carve and print a linocut.

My aim is to ensure that you feel confident enough to continue printing with lino in your own home.

Payment Options

2 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $695.00 August 24th

$895.00

3 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $370.00 August 24th and 3rd payment of $370.00 September 24th.

$940.00

REGISTRATION OPEN

The Retreat Plan

Arrive Friday October 24th

Turn up between 3:00 - 5:00pm

Welcome tea and nibbles provided on your arrival
Relax and settle into your accommodation or take a stroll to the lake.
Guests BYO alcoholic drinks
7 pm - evening meal provided.- to get to know tutor, host and other guests.
Coffee and a sweet treat in the studio, a chat about the plans for the weekend.
The rest of the evening is yours, stay and chat or have time to yourself.
Workshop Day 1 - Saturday October 25th

8.00: Breakfast

Delicious breakfast to energise you for the day

9.00 am: Monoprinting with Gel Plate Workshop

Introduction to monoprinting. Printing with gell plates.
Demonstration of tools and materials
Hands-on practice session.

Morning Tea

Refreshments served to keep creativity flowing.

Workshop continues

Continue exploration monoprinting.

12.30 pm: Lunch

Nutitious lunch provided to fuel creativity for the afternoon

1.30. : -Afternoon Workshop - Dry Point Etching

Take your drawings into printmaking
Learn the technique of Drypoint Etching
Step by step tuition -
IT ISN’T CHEATING IF YOU TRACE

4.30 Afternoon Tea

Reflect on the workshop so far. What will happen tomorrow?

Your Time 5pm- 7pm

You decide, relax and unwind in beautiful Taupō. A number of options available. Wairakei Hot Pools, Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park and hot water stream), a walk along the lake front or even a swim at Hot Water Beach, or simply grab a book and chill in the garden or on the deck,

Dinner 7pm

Delicious dinner provided for guests - a chance to unwind and socialise.

Workshop Day 2 - Sunday March 26th

8.00 am: Breakfast

Hearty breakfast to kick start day 2

9.00 am: Day 2 - Linocut Printing Workshop

Learn the process of reduction linocut printing
You will be guided in how to create a simple 3 colour linocut

Morning Tea

complete linocut prints

12:30 pm - 1.30: Lunch

NOW YOU DECIDE WHICH PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUE YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE FUTHER.

Design compostion
Small group tutorials for different printmaking processes
Individual tuition to guide you step by step

Afternoon Tea when you like

The afternoon is more flexible as you will be working on your own ideas

Your Time 5pm- 7pm

You decide, relax and unwind in beautiful Taupō. A number of options available. Wairakei Hot Pools, Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park and hot water stream), a walk along the lake front or even a swim at Hot Water Beach, or simply grab a book and chill in the garden or on the deck,

Dinner 7pm

Another one of Jude’s delicious, homecooked dinner provided for guests - a chance to unwind and socialise.

Payment Options

2 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $695.00 August 24th

$895.00

3 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $370.00 August 24th and 3rd payment of $370.00 September 24th.

$940.00

REGISTRATION OPEN

Workshop Day 3 - Monday October 27th

8.00 am: Breakfast

Hearty breakfast to kick start the final day

9.00 am: Day 2 exploring your chosen style of printmaking

small group tutorials about techniques.

Morning Tea

continue printmaking individual tution.

12:30 pm - 1.30: Lunch -

A farewell lunch. We have found it is easier to reflect on the weekend at lunchtime rather than at the end of the day. As some people want to get on the road straight away.

Afternoon Printmaking

The afternoon is a time to complete your prints

4.30 / 5 pm

Farewell to our lovely guests. There is an option to stay longer

BONUS OPTION

Monday Night Stay

$150 Bed & Breakfast

Guests have the option to extend their stay for an additional night, bed and breakfast.

Evening meal to be arranged - we may go to the local pub (3 doors up the road) or have takeaways or even left overs.
Day 4 - We can provide information about galleries and studios available to view before you leave. Depending on interest this can be organised. There is also a great street art walk in the town.

Testimonials

It truly felt like a retreat—I felt completely at ease and well looked after throughout the weekend. The art experience was just as wonderful. It was such a treat to be guided through reduction printing, a technique that can feel overwhelming to tackle alone. Having expert support made it accessible, fun, and really rewarding. The location was incredible too—the chance to sneak in multiple swims made the whole experience feel extra special and unique.

Mari Tanioka - Auckland

The print making retreat was the complete package. We got expert tuition and had a dedicated space to work in, super comfortable accommodation, beautiful bush setting, Jude’s delicious food, friendly, open and fun. People came from all corners. And no parking dramas! Recommend.

Judith Maxim - Wellington

If you are wanting to learn the skills needed and to grow in confidence then this is a great retreat for you. Lovely, welcoming people. A fantastic way to take time out to enjoy your creative side.

Erin Grimmer - Tauranga

What an amazing retreat. I went into this printmaking retreat with an open mind and came away excited, educated and inspired for my own journey. Sally's energy was enjoyable to be around and her passion for art flowed throughout the workshop. I would be back in a heartbeat.

Nicola Wall - Hawkes Bay

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. My expectations were more than fulfilled - from the warm welcome and cosy home with.... *An incredibly good 'fit for purpose' layout, *Exciting lake view location, *Delicious home cooked meals,

*Meeting like minded people, ....to my main reason for attending - learning new art skills from Sally-Ann Davies, a knowledgeable and artistically acclaimed facilitator. The total immersion in art for two whole days was a welcome gift to my soul. Thank you so much Jude and Sally-Ann.

Robyn McDougal - Hawkes Bay

Thank you so much for the wonderful, relaxing and artistic weekend of lino cutting. I had the best time learning, practising and being creative. Sally-Ann is an excellent teacher; very encouraging and hands on. I was really well taken care of with my dietary requirements - the gluten free lasagne, and muffins were the highlights but everything was so yummy!! It was fun to meet others and be inspired by their talent. The hot pools were a perfect addition too. I would recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to try something new or develop their skills further and have a great time, eating delicious food. Thanks again!

Margot Burton - Tauranga

Payment Options

2 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $695.00 August 24th

$895.00

3 payments - $200.00 deposit on registration 2nd payment $370.00 August 24th and 3rd payment of $370.00 September 24th.

$940.00

REGISTRATION OPEN

Frequently Asked Questions

I have never done any printmaking before. Will I be ok?

The printmaking retreat will provide an Introductory to Intermediate level of printmaking. In this small group there will be plenty of time for one on one tuition. Sally-Ann will guide you every step of the way.

Do I need to bring anything?
NO. All your meals, accommodation and workshop materials are provided in your fees.

What if I don’t have any transport while in Taupo?
We can pick you up from the airport or bus station. Transport is available for evening activities or if you choose to stay on for the extra day.

I am gluten, and lactose intolerant, have an egg allergy and am also a vegan. Will I starve?
It is not a problem if we know in advance, so please let us know when you place your registration.

Here's the cancellation policy, incorporating the information you've provided:

Printmaking Retreat Cancellation Policy

For cancellations received before September 25th, 2025:
- Full refund.
For cancellations received on or after September 25th, 2025:
- Cancelltion is at the discretion of the hosts.

Day Student Cancellation Policy

Please note: This policy applies to the Printmaking Retreat scheduled for October 24th - 27th, 2025.