A few weeks ago I went on a field trip up into the Brecon Beacons with colleagues from Swansea University’s FIRE Lab and while they studied the environment in culverts, I sketched. I really liked the abstraction of this drawing of a stream bed so I cut it into a block of vinyl and today finally started doing some proof prints down at Swansea Print Workshop.
I used Intaglio Printmakers’ black litho/relief ink and Japanese Hosho paper. It’s very lightweight because I wanted to take the prints by hand, using a Japanese baren rather than the Victorian Columbian press, lovely though it is.
I’m pleased with it, I love the level of abstraction, which is really out of my comfort zone. Next I’m going to try to incorporate some colour with chine collé, but that will be for tomorrow.
thanks for this, very interesting to see your process in action, great outcome. Love the geometric form that was a fluid stream. When you say you cut into a block of “vinyl” is that something in sheet form? I am a mere novice and have tried that pink speedball sheet but find it moves about, is there something you would recommend to me
I enjoy reading your posts, they are very inspiring
Thank you for your lovely comments, Carol. I use Japanese vinyl sheets that I buy in the UK from Intaglio Printmaker in London. I find it easier to cut than lino, although you can’t get very fine detail with it as it’s softer than lino. Here’s a link through. https://intaglioprintmaker.com/shop/relief-printing-vinyl-200x300mm-each
If you’re on Facebook, there’s a very nice group called linocut friends and people are very willing to share tips. Rose 🙂