Tarot-card making with Sophy Hollington

Sophy Hollington is an artist and printmaker best known for her unapologetic style of linocut illustrations. Not being one to cut corners, most of Sophy’s commercial work takes the form of relief prints; created using through linocut. Sophy’s work has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Computer Arts Magazine, The UK Crafts Council and It’s Nice That.

I enjoy sending up my fears, either dressing them up in garish colours or stripping them back to their elements when I’m working in lino.

Join Sophy for an introduction into linocut and the process of linocutting and printing. During this 4 hour workshop you’ll:

• Design your own tarot card taking inspiration from the classic tarot deck.
• Learn how to carve your design into lino using multiple carving tools.
• Print a batch of your tarot designs.
• Exchange tarot designs with the group to build a uniquely crafted deck.
• Walk away with a unique set of 10 tarot cards, created and printed by the group.

You won’t need to bring anything but yourself to the workshop! All materials and tools for are included in the price of the ticket. If you would prefer to bring your own sketchbook and drawing materials for the preparatory drawings, you’re welcome to do so.

You can check out Sophy’s awesome linocut work here.

We caught up with Sophy to ask her which artists she’s enjoying, which apps she couldn’t live without and what she’s currently listening to.

Can you tell us what an average work day looks like?

I work from home at the moment, so I spend most of my day at the kitchen table with the radio on. Depending on the stage of the project, this involves a lot of sketching, scanning and emailing, or a full on, RSI inducing, 8 hour stint of cutting lino and trying not to look at a phone or a computer.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Radio 4, Steely Dan, Cymande, Them & Vince Guaraldi.

What apps can’t you live without?

BusMate & Citymapper.

Favourite piece of equipment in the studio/work space?

My press & my wooden spoon (sometimes the spoon still wins out).

Which designers/artists work are you enjoying at the moment?

Neo Rauch, Eric Ravilious, Paul Nash, Winifred Knights, John Rogers Cox.

What’s your favourite place to escape to?

It would have to either be the Cornish Coast or Leyton Marshes if that seems too far.

If you could choose one artist, dead or alive, to decorate your house, who would it be?

Definitely, Swedish artist, Hilma Af Klint.