D i s p e r s a l 01 Embossed monoprint with screen print layers
Dear followers,
This blog post will give some details about recent new works as well as some general studio updates! Enjoy……
As a Secondary art teacher I am very lucky to benefit from a sabbatical scheme, in place to reward years of service. Finally, a good chunk of time to dedicate to my own printmaking and realising many of the ideas that were beginning to gather dust.
E t h e r e a l Multi-layered screen print
I collected armfuls of skinny, long birch branches; foraged from the grounds of the nearby Horniman Museum gardens. I had an idea about how they would blindly emboss the paper, as well as how they would work when inked and passed through the press.
Detail…….showing blind embossing and inked birch branches
I was also keen to develop the scale of my work by experimenting with working at larger sizes for both my monoprints series, as well as my screen prints. The works you will see here are a combination of sizes, A2 or A1. It was great to pass A2 paper through the press, though it proved pretty tricky to soak the paper enough to soften the fibres for embossing. In the end I used the bath and large bath towels to remove excess water! When I find my dream studio, note to self……factor in how to effectively soak large sheets of paper :)
Detail……..with the addition of screen printed scatter….grey ink combined with deep copper ink inspired by the bark from copper birch trees
For some time I have been curious about the translation of certain marks, as well as objects during the exposure process to the screen. In general, I choose not to transfer my own drawings, preferring the often unexpected results that come from exposing objects. However, I am fascinated by the marks made my mono-prints, it’s that slightly moody, grainy line edge that appeals so much! So, I planned on spending a bit of time exploring how to recreate mono-printed lines & textures through the screen print process. The image below is a close detail of this idea, translated.
Detail from a screen printed monoprint…..
Experimental detail from a proof print…..
The following image is actually the whole ‘proof’ print, a work created just to trial the processes. Somehow, it is actually quite curious in its own right. It is a purely screen printed image, A1 size.
During my printmaking sabbatical I also worked more with colour and more abstract shapes and lines. You can see this in the work below…..
The lighter colours sitting on the darker tones is something to pursue further……
S t u d i o u p d a t e s
Creating a new body of work also combined with an application for The Woolwich Print Fair 2021. I will keep you all posted with any developments there.
There is also an opportunity to take part in an International Print Exhibition hosted by the Royal Society of Painter - Printmakers at The Bankside Gallery in London. See the button below for more details if you are interested.
One of the main studio updates links back to my last blog post about Workshops. It is so wonderful to resume my weekly class again and get back together, printing and chatting and sharing our time.
I have a student that has booked 4 1:1 workshops and she is making some really beautiful work through the etching press. She is finding that as the making process evolves, so too do the ideas. That is the magic of any creative process, as well as the mindful qualities of focusing on one task and one only.
Until next time……..as ever I thank you for your time & for your continued support…….