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Printmaking provides an ideal method of creating new and visually exciting images and offers the artist fresh and often unexpected creative outcomes. Leith School of Art's one-year Printmaking Course provides the advantage of a sustained engagement with the medium and an opportunity for students to develop their work fully through a period of intensive study.
Anna Berrino studied with us on the course in 2021/22, and went on to complete a one-year Master’s programme at Fondazione Il Bisonte per lo Studio dell’Arte Grafica in Florence. Anna has since undertaken several residencies and exhibits regularly. We caught up with Anna about her time at Leith School of Art.
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Why did you choose to study Printmaking at Leith School of Art?
I chose the Printmaking Course at Leith School of Art because I was drawn to the school's reputation for nurturing creativity in a deeply supportive and hands-on environment. I had a strong interest in exploring traditional and experimental print techniques, and Leith offered a unique opportunity to immerse myself in that world while being guided by practicing artists.
The structure of the course — with its balance of technical skill-building and personal artistic development — really appealed to me. I wanted to challenge myself, expand my visual language, and develop a more defined artistic voice, and I felt that LSA was the right place to do that. Looking back, it was a pivotal decision that helped shape not only my practice but my confidence as an artist.
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How would you describe your time at Leith School of Art?
My time at Leith School of Art was genuinely transformative. It was an environment where I felt both challenged and supported — a rare balance that made a huge difference in my growth. The Printmaking Course gave me the technical foundation I needed, but more importantly, it encouraged experimentation and risk-taking. I learned to think critically about my work, to question my process, and to push beyond my comfort zone.
One of the major strengths of the course was the emphasis on personal development. The tutors weren’t just instructors — they were mentors who took the time to understand each student’s practice and help them move forward in a way that felt true to their individual voice. The sense of community was another highlight. Being surrounded by other passionate, committed artists created a collaborative and inspiring atmosphere that kept me motivated throughout.
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How do you think the Printmaking Course prepared you for post-LSA life?
The course taught me how to work independently while still being open to feedback — a skill that’s been invaluable. Regular critiques and one-on-one tutor support helped me develop a critical eye and the ability to reflect meaningfully on my work. That kind of self-awareness has been key in continuing my practice beyond LSA.
It also prepared me practically: I learned how to plan and sustain a body of work, how to talk about my process, and how to present my work professionally — all crucial when applying for exhibitions, residencies, or continuing my studies. In a broader sense, the course helped me build resilience and a real commitment to my creative practice, which has stayed with me long after leaving the School.
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How have you kept up your practice since you left the Printmaking Course?
Since completing the Printmaking Course at Leith School of Art, I’ve been fully committed to developing my practice further. I went on to complete a one-year Master’s programme at Fondazione Il Bisonte per lo Studio dell’Arte Grafica in Florence, which allowed me to deepen my technical skills and immerse myself in an international printmaking community.
I've also taken part in several residencies, which have given me the space and time to experiment with new ideas and continue pushing my work forward. Exhibiting my work has become an important part of my practice too — it’s been rewarding to share my prints with a wider audience and be part of group shows that celebrate contemporary printmaking.
All of these experiences have helped me stay connected to the printmaking world and continue evolving as an artist. The foundation I built at LSA gave me the confidence and direction to pursue these opportunities, and it continues to shape the way I approach my work today.
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Do you have any advice for new and/or current students?
Try to let go of the idea that you always need to know where you're going. Some of the best work starts in confusion or frustration — when something isn't working yet. That in-between space is uncomfortable, but it’s also where unexpected things begin to surface.
Use your sketchbook like a sandbox, not a gallery. Let it be messy, private, full of half-ideas and weird starts. You don’t need to justify everything.
Talk to the people around you. Ask questions. Borrow tools. Trade thoughts. Being part of a creative community doesn’t just make the work better — it makes the hard days easier to get through.
Last thing I would say try not to measure yourself by how “finished” your work looks. Progress isn’t always visible. If you’re still curious, still making, still paying attention to the things that are connected to your research and practice — that’s enough.
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