I love that moment when my lino block (traditional grey) is carved and ready to ink up. I love that first stroke of the roller (brayer) across the surface, when you start to see the image revealed. Then the satisfaction of inking the whole block, ready for printing. And that heavenly smell of oil-based inkContinue reading “That First Ink!”
Tag Archives: Swansea
Back To Life Drawing
I’ve finished my artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ and slipped back to normal routine with Life Drawing at Swansea Print Workshop last night, working with this lovely model. I pre-coloured some vintage paper with an olive-y green acrylic screen-printing medium and drew onto it with 4B Graphite. I like the look of it in realContinue reading “Back To Life Drawing”
And…Relax (And Diet!)
My artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ ended yesterday and I’m relaxing today, pottering in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and being given the runaround by Sparta Puss and Erik The Tabby Boi; (Bill aka William Chat Noir is just chilling). Tomorrow I’ll start planning what I’m going to do with the work I’ve created – someContinue reading “And…Relax (And Diet!)”
Artist In Residence: Day 16 – And The Final Proof!
It’s the last-but-one day of my artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ and I did a first proof of the last block I carved, block number 12. I started out on April 1st with a pile of portrait sketches, done from life, a stack of traditional grey lino blocks and my carving tools. I’m really pleased withContinue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 16 – And The Final Proof!”
Artist In Residence Day 15 – More First Proofs
Here are a couple of the first proof prints close up, with their lino blocks inked-up. It’s been really interesting to play around with textures to create the features on the faces. I used several of my carving tools, including ones I had hardly used before, especially on this small scale. I only have 2Continue reading “Artist In Residence Day 15 – More First Proofs”
Artist In Residence: Day 15 – Nearly Finished Proofing
I’ve done first proofs of 11 newly carved lino blocks. I have a bit more carving to do on number 12 but I think I should be able to proof that one as well soon. I’ve done all these during my artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ . I only have 2 more days left before theContinue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 15 – Nearly Finished Proofing”
Artist In Residence: Day 13 – Printing At Last!
Day 13 of my artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ and I started to take proof prints from my little portrait lino blocks using Cranfield Caligo Safe-Wash ink. This is the first one. I recently visited Cranfield’s pigment factory near Newport, Gwent. It was fascinating and smelled gorgeous. It was busy again today at Urban HQ, with 11Continue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 13 – Printing At Last!”
Artist In Residence: Day 12 – Paper Prep.
Today was Day 12 of my artist residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ and I was getting prepared to start printing my blocks tomorrow. I’ll be using Ho-Sho Japanese paper which I cut down to size today, but I’ll also print some of the small blocks onto postcards. I’ll be using Cranfield Safe-Wash ink. It was veryContinue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 12 – Paper Prep.”
Artist In Residence: Day 11 – block 13
On Day 11 of my residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ last week I started cutting my 13th lino block which is larger than most of the ones I’ve cut so far, double the size at 20 x 15cms. Most of it is carved now, but I decided to add some background on the larger ones soContinue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 11 – block 13”
Artist In Residence: Day 10 – Block 12
I’m chuffed with the amount of work I have done so far during my residency at Swansea’s Urban HQ. In 10 days I’ve cut 12 lino blocks, done a day of research, had really good conversations with about 30 visitors, and sold a little linocut print. This block is number 12 and is double the sizeContinue reading “Artist In Residence: Day 10 – Block 12”