Merlyn Chesterman has worked as a printmaker for the last twenty years. She began her career, as many do, at West Dean under the tutelage of Colin and Carol Walklin who had by then 100 years of experience between them.

Six years ago Merlyn brought together a group of professional printmakers from across the UK to form a collective group, Pine Feroda, who collaborate to make large scale woodcuts (85cms x 125 cms), which would be difficult to make alone.

Students attending Merlyn's latest course at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, 'Atmostpheric Woodcuts', were shown a film just made about Pine Feroda by Martin Kemp of Togetherland. This film shows the lengthy process of producing a successful print and includes images of a print as it is resolved through proofing.

After students chose a subject that focussed on atmosphere, they then cut their blocks. Merlyn then encouraged them to proof their blocks at least twenty times exploring different colours, tones, transparency and papers.

Looking at this group of proofs they might begin to see one that is nearing a result that matched their expectations.

The next challenge is to learn to repeat this!