Surbiton artist Debbie Chessell is hosting a series of creative workshops in the coming weeks.

Three workshops are planned across January, February and into March, all taking place in and around Surbiton.

Two of the three workshops will explore lino printing techniques.

Ms Chessell, who holds a degree in fine art from Kingston University, said she was initially attracted to Lino printing in part out of necessity while she was without a studio: "I began lino printing after graduating from my fine art degree as I didn't have the space to continue painting," she said.

"It's a versatile, affordable and clean medium that can be easily used in a domestic setting...you can make prints on a kitchen table and not make a huge mess. That, plus the satisfying nature of carving linoleum drew me to using it."

Ms Chessell cites fellow South-West Londoners Peter Smith and Alban Low, plus the US fine artist Kathleen Neeley, who also specialises in relief printmaking, as inspirations for her work. She said that London already boasts a "strong community" of those working with lino printing that fellow artists can explore to help them get started.

Surrey Comet:

The 'Design, Carve and Print' workshop repeats every two weeks at The Lamb, Surbiton, starting Tuesday, January 29 (7.30pm-10pm). Attendees can carve their own designs into a lino block, then print it onto a tote bag to take home with them. Tickets are £10.00.

The 6-hour 'Introduction to Lino Printmaking' course meanwhile takes place on Saturday, February 16 at the Museum of Futures (11am-5pm), and will teach attendees a full range of techniques and tips for how to pursue lino printing independently. Tickets are £50.

The third event in the workshop series will see Ms Chessell collaborate with the A Lesson In Nature project of fellow artist Louis Spence on wild clay, plus traditional pottery and engraving. The interactive workshop will take place on Saturday, March 2 at Museum of Futures (10am-4pm) and includes lunch. Tickets are £80 per person.

Ms Chessell is currently collaborating with Kingston Council running a drawing and painting course for the Centre of Community Development, which focuses on outreach with Kingston residents especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Speaking about her career so far, Ms Chessell said: "I have loved drawing and painting since I was a small child. My artworks have been exhibited across the UK and feature in international collections including the Suzzallo Library in Washington USA and St George's Hospital in Wimbledon London."

Examples of Debbie Chessell's work and more information on the workshops can be found at www.debbiechessell.com.