Category Archives: Printmaking

The Dark Manner

I’ve been working on some ‘manier noir’ drawings. The name means ‘in the dark manner’ and usually refers to the printmaking technique of mezzotint. I stretched the paper onto a wall originally, gave it 2 coats of gesso and when dry, I rubbed it all over with graphite block, then a rag dipped in turpentineContinue reading “The Dark Manner”

Waiting For Mam

I spent a happy hour puppy sitting the adorable gallery puppies at Galerie Simpson this afternoon. They are two sweet black Patterdale Terriers and when their Mam popped out, they patiently waited for her – before falling asleep. So cute. And very scribblable! I never miss an opportunity for a scribble. It’s interesting drawing differentContinue reading “Waiting For Mam”

A Bit Of Columbian

I was down at Swansea Print Workshop earlier and took some time to scribble the lovely old Columbian printing press. Dating from quite early in Queen Victoria’s reign (1855) this beauty is still in use, even though it’s a little bit wobbly and idiosyncratic. It’s quite complex and I’m right out of my comfort zone,Continue reading “A Bit Of Columbian”

Drawing Darkly

I spent some time in my studio today, starting a ‘manier noir’ style drawing. It’s a type of reductive drawing, working from black to white, rubbing away areas of charcoal to reveal the highlights. It’s the very first of a substantial body of drawings and original prints I have planned. I prepared Fabriano Accademica paperContinue reading “Drawing Darkly”

Canine Couture

I spent a lovely afternoon at Galerie Simpson, Swansea’s newest arthouse, helping with the new exhibition which opens tomorrow. And I spent a half hour drawing the delightful gallery puppies, Sonny and Betty, in their couture puppy jackets. The new show features original prints by contemporary artists including Gavin Turk, Jamie Reid and Gary HumeContinue reading “Canine Couture”

Just Seconds

One of those days – loads of admin and computer and filing and then off to the opening of a friend’s exhibition so I only had SECONDS to do any drawing. But I set myself the task of drawing every day so draw I did. I was doing some voluntary work at Swansea Print WorkshopContinue reading “Just Seconds”

Spots and Twists

I like working on direct line (trace) monotypes. It’s an immediate and spontaneous way to get an original print and the quality of the line is soft and smudgy. I also like to work with models in poses that are twisted or contrapposto, they have a dynamic interplay of forms and planes that I findContinue reading “Spots and Twists”

Twisted

  Here’s another direct line(or trace)  monotype, based on an original drawing I did in a life drawing session. I like twisted and contrapposto poses; I like the challenge of drawing them. This sort of monotype technique gives a gentle line and soft, smudgy textures. I used Intaglio Printmakers black litho/relief ink and a fairlyContinue reading “Twisted”

Smudginess Abounds

  There are different ways of doing monotype prints. This technique is called a direct line monotype. You ink up a plate, usually perspex or glass, with a very thin layer of litho / relief printing ink. Then you gently lay a piece of good quality paper, not too thick,  onto it and carefully drawContinue reading “Smudginess Abounds”