HBP - Complete Printmakers: Drypoint

In the second and third week of the course we focused on drypoint - an intaglio print process which involves scratching a design into a thin metal sheet, inking up the sheet and putting the plate and the paper through a press. As I use mark making a lot in my drawings I really enjoyed this process - there were a variety of tools that we could use to scratch into the metal including an electric Dremel engraver and working into the plate was an interesting process. I enjoyed drawing in a way that was more free; the surface of the metal jarred against the tools making the process less controlled and the marks and lines unpredictable.

As drypoint is an intaglio process you have to cover the plate in ink and then wipe away - the ink is held in the burrs that stick up on either side of the lines and marks that have been scratched into the metal. I found the inking and wiping process difficult - it's very messy and quite labour intensive plus there are certain techniques to wiping which I still really struggle with. I think my first print was helped by a bit of beginners luck as the lighter areas of ink on the rock have given the image a bit more texture and definition but they definitely weren't intentional! 

As shown below I used my plates to make 2-3 prints each - the plates can't really be used much more than this as the burrs begin to flatten from going through the press and don't hold as much ink so the prints are softer and a bit blurry. As with mono print this is a process that I'd like to explore further as I think it works well with my style of drawing.

First drypoint print - drawing from a photo of the Pembrokeshire coast

Second drypoint print from same plate adding some thinned down coloured ink

Third print from original plate - the lines are becoming less defined as the burrs are flattened during the printing process

The drypoint plate and detail below of the marks that have been scratched into the surface of the metal

 

Second drypoint - I can't find the plate for this drypoint but it was another drawing from photos of the Pembrokeshire coast - I tried to add more colour to this one however it doesn't have the same impact as the first print and it came out a bit messy

 

Third drypoint plate - this time I used photos from a trip to Cumbria as my source material for the drawings. Again this plate doesn't have the same impact that the first plate did - the colours and the inking definitely need more consideration

 

HBP - Complete Printmakers: Mono Print

The first session of the course started with mono printing, a process where a very thin layer of ink is rolled out, the paper is laid face down on to the ink and another sheet of paper is laid on top. The drawing/mark making is done on the second piece of paper, the pressure of the pencil or pen through the layers of paper picks up the ink creating a reverse image with soft lines. The process of laying the paper on top of a large area of ink means that other marks are picked up and you have to be careful not to lean on the paper when you're drawing!

For my mono prints I used photos from various walks and trips over the past few years. I wanted to capture some of the textures of the scenery using dashes, dots and cross hatching with the basic shapes built up in line. My favourite is the coastal image (photos 8 and 9) with the green lines for the sea. The images are just on newsprint so they're quite fragile and have already begun to discolour but this simple print method is something that I want to explore further with other papers and subjects.

Hot Bed Press - Complete Printmakers

In February 2014 I started the Complete Printmakers course at Hot Bed Press, an open access print studio based in Salford. The course is just under a year long (I've got another 3-4 weeks left on it) and offers the opportunity to try a variety of traditional print processes. Over the next few days and weeks I'm going to be posting some photos of the work that I've produced and my thoughts about each of the processes.

I decided to enrol on the course as I wanted to explore some new ways of working after being confined to working with pen, pencil, watercolours and my Mac for 3 years or so. I wanted to learn some processes that were a bit more hands-on and that would make me think about how I want to develop my work. The course has been challenging at times as the processes can be tricky and we've been learning a new method every couple of weeks so it's been fast paced! The experience has been a positive one though, I've learnt a lot and there are so many areas of print that I want to try further and now I have the basic skills to start exploring.

New Website..

Finally after months of planning and designing I have finally changed and updated my website! It's got a much better layout and it can even be viewed on phones (this has never been the case before!) have a look here!

In the very near future the site will also have a shop so my prints/cards etc. will be available worldwide!

Meow!

Playing around with some cat paintings from late last year, the originals were sold off as card but I still have digital files. I think it makes a nice repeat pattern.

Exhibitions

During October my work will be featured in two exhibitions in the North West. The first is taking place at the Craft and Design centre in Manchester's Northern Quarter. As part of Creative Tourist's 'Manchester Weekender' there will be an extension of the Craft and Design centre's current exhibition 'Forming Words' and I will be creating a new piece of work for it.

The new part of the exhibition will be open from 10th -13th October and I will be creating the letter 'A'. I'm currently working on the design (which is going to remain a secret) so head to the Craft and Design Centre over that weekend to see it.

The second exhibition is part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival taking place at The Gallery at Bank Quay House and Warrington Museum and Art Gallery. I submitted two existing pieces of work (two of my Whitby original painting/drawings) and they'll be on display from 18th October to 22nd November. I'm originally from Warrington so it's exciting to have the opportunity to showcase some of my work on home turf. There are some incredible artists involved in the festival this year so I'm really looking forward to the launch.

For Manchester Weekender's full listings click here and for further information and news about Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival click here.

Drawing School

Apologies for neglecting my blog for a few months but I've been busy with various things and it's just been forgotten about!

I just wanted to post about a project that I'm doing in a few weeks with the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. I'll be running two drawing classes during half term; the Junior Drawing School which will be for children aged 8-11 and the Drawing School for Young People for 11-16 year olds.

I'm really excited about the classes as I've got some really fun drawing based activities planned for the groups; I'll be taking the term drawing really loosely and showing the children some more experimental ways to make imagery and hopefully giving them plenty of useful ideas to take home with them.

The classes are £6 for the Junior Drawing School and £10 for the Drawing School for Young People - both prices include two sessions, one with me and one with another local artist Jenna Parton. The classes take place on the 12th and 13th February and there are still places available.

To book call Turnpike Gallery on 01942 404420

Here's a couple of pages from my sketchbooks to inspire!