Printmaking: Cow Parsley Reduction Linocut Stage Two

In preparation for my printmaking class I’d cut away the next layer of my linocut, so I could spend the whole session printing, taking advantage of the lovely Albion press. The sound of the press is rather hypnotic - a real mechanical art process - it squeaks and clunks as you pull the weight onto …

Printmaking: Cow Parsley Reduction Linocut

I went for a walk the other weekend - the sun was shining and finally the hawthorn was in blossom.  I love that the photograph of hawthorn blossom resembles the shape of a heart - totally by accident - very appropriate though, as hawthorn is a heart tonic! Cow parsley is in flower everywhere, but …

Printmaking: Reduction linocut

Today I attended a printmaking workshop at Birmingham Printmakers with Jacqui Dodds and Christine Bradshaw.  The workshop was reduction lino, also known as suicide lino - as you use one piece of lino to print multiple stages by cutting away each previous stage!  Easy if your not concentrating, to make a mistake.  Thankfully we were …

Printmaking class: Mono Printing

There are many techniques to mono printing, which is a relief printing process.  Mono meaning one, means you create one off unique print each time.  You can use stencils, draw onto the plate, add all sorts of bits an bobs - It looked like quite a free, quick printing process so  I wanted to give …

Creative Printmaking: class four

It's was the last of this set of six printmaking classes for me at Birmingham Printmakers (I missed a class, and I'm busy with something else next week).  I wanted to get a few prints made with what I had done so far, but 2 1/2 hours is a surprisingly short time, so I only …

Creative Printmaking: Class Three

This week at my print-making class I continued working on a drypoint engraving (on acetate sheet) of reeds, and rose hips in Barton. The majority of the marks were made with a fine point - I went over some of the areas,which on my last print were too incidental. I continued on the reeds and …

Creative Printmaking: Class Two

Where did the last week go?  On Thursday I found myself back in a very cold printing studio in Digbeth, wishing I'd worn my vest, or brought a hot water bottle or something, but excited at the prospect of beginning a new project. Photographs of the studio, It's an amazing space.  The walls are covered with the …

Creative Printmaking: Class One

I am studying Creative Printmaking at the Birmingham Printmakers.  Its a six week course, but one which continues throughout the year.  Our tutor Paul Bartlett is an amazing artist, and a great tutor.   I will be working with drypoint, a method I was taught an age ago, but have not tried again since.  Paul …

A Creative New Year

I've begun 2013 as I mean to go on - creatively!  I am starting with block printing as its fairly simple technique which gives good results. starting with a simple line drawing block colour doodle Hawthorn was my herbal ally throughout 2012 as part of my herbal apprenticeship.  The idea of a herbal ally is …