Tags:affordable art

That First Ink!

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!”

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!”