Paula and Käthe

Something different today. I’m working on a silkscreen, planning a series of small screenprints based on my favourite artists. Here are the first two: Paula Mödersohn-Becker and Käthe Kollwitz, both active in the late 19th and early 20th century. I did some drawings based on photographs of the two artists, drew them onto the screen in pencil andContinue reading “Paula and Käthe”

After Sir Frank

Husb and I visited the Frank Brangwyn museum in Bruges today. Sir Frank has long been an artist hero of mine but despite massive fame in his lifetime he isn’t very fashionable now. It’s time he was noticed again. He was one of the founder members of the Vienna Secession; his work in the earlyContinue reading “After Sir Frank”

Ready For The First Cut

I’ve been preparing a stack of vinyl blocks ready for cutting. I’ve drawn on them, firstly in graphite then in Faber Castell Pitt drawing pens. Each block will be printed in 4 stages; the first stage is to start cutting away the areas that will be white on the final print. Then I’ll cut the areasContinue reading “Ready For The First Cut”

Drawing For Cutting

Yesterday I posted some starting point drawings, today I moved onto the next stage, making a drawing onto a block of vinyl as a guide for cutting. This will be a reduction block print, which means I will cut each colour from the same block. Today the cuts I made will eventually be white onContinue reading “Drawing For Cutting”

Tea And Welshcakes

I’m taking part in a ‘Museum Experience’ at Swansea Museum, beginning on March 31st and carrying through to May 17th. It’s called ‘PROCESS’, because it focuses on the processes that artists use to create their work. More than an exhibition of work on walls, ‘PROCESS’ also showcases sketchbooks, tools and materials to foster an understanding ofContinue reading “Tea And Welshcakes”

Print’s Birthday!

It’s Swansea Print Workshop’s 15th anniversary party this coming Friday 27th March from 7pm with a lovely exhibition of original prints from artists who have produced art here throughout our 15 years. There will also be wine and food and cake and our wonderful antique printing presses. Please pop in and bring your friends ifContinue reading “Print’s Birthday!”

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”

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”