Christmas Gifts

A selection of my finished Christmas gifts and cards. The bags and clothing are screen printed using Thermofax screens and the cards are linocuts.

Intaglio Printing

Now that I have a lovely new etching press it seemed like a good idea to finally get round to trying out some intaglio printing. I produced these prints by using a scribe to scratch into thin HIPS plastic (often used as a vacuum forming material-if you are looking for suppliers). This is a really accessible way into this sort of printing as you don't need to mess around with acid baths or expensive metal plates to achieve the fine details, you can actually just trace your images through the clear plastic straight from your sketchbook. It took a couple of attempts but I am pleased with the results and enjoyed playing around with the inks on the plate to create different levels of depth to the images.

Lapwing and Robin Linocuts

Prepping images for thermofax screens

Apparently it is only seven weeks until Christmas!-always a shock. So I've pushed myself to settle on some images for screen printing onto Christmas presents. Just sent these off, looking forward to getting the screens later next week.

A Wedding Gift

A little more heat press printing-scarves

Heat Press Printing

Moving house is very exciting, but it is also very busy and messy. Consequently I haven't posted recently and I haven't had a lot of clear space to work in at home but that's not to say I've not been working on anything. I have again been using my local FAB LAB to produce some heat press printed scarves. I've been experimenting with using both hand cut and laser cut stencils and I really like the results from both. Luckily I also have some very skilled friends who have been able to teach me how to roll hem the sides and fray the ends to give a professional finish.

IF Tense

I think this image works well for this week's Illustration Friday topic "Tense".

Strawberries

Ochre Hare

I'm pleased with this outcome, I think the background works well to give the impression of crops, using a graphic irregular pattern.

Hare

This image is a little bit more detailed than my usual linocut style but I think it suits the subject. My original plan for this print was to use a second layer to make a more vibrant colour choice for the bulk of the hare's body and the background-perhaps a strong mustard yellow. However, I haven't quite decided how much detailing should be put into the background yet. For the time being I think it works well on this coloured card background.

Orange Flowers

My latest linocut print. I've used a colour palette that I'm not usually very confident

with, but I am really pleased with the results. I'm hoping to get this image printed onto some greetings cards.

Round-Headed Leek

Freezer Paper Stencils

To create these t-shirt designs I cut a stencil from freezer paper. I then laid the stencil shiny side down onto to fabric. When I ironed the top of the stencil the shiny side stuck to the fabric. I then used fabric paint to fill in the gaps. Once the paint was completely dry the stencil was easy to peel off and I was left with my finished design. 

Nuthatch

I'm really enjoying working with the lines and forms of birds at the moment. I was particularly drawn to the Nuthatch because of the angular nature of its body. I also wanted to enhance the blue of the wings to create a very graphic and bold image.

New linocut tools!!!

Is there anything in the world more exciting than having a package delivered which is full of lino, inks and new carving tools!?! I must admit I have treated myself quite a lot recently, and my latest purchase has been to invest in a couple of these lovely Pfeils. My old linocut tool set has done me well, and the interchangeable blades have met all my needs so far, but unfortunately they were becoming a little blunt and did not respond well to being sharpened (I'm told the metal wasn't up to much-possibly a reflection of the price I paid). I've being working on a print of a Nuthatch as my first Pfeil project, and I have been really pleased with the results. The tools sit in the hand nicely and carve easily, although be warned, sometimes the cutting is a little too easy and can get away from you.

Valentines Day-Love Birds

We're not really a couple for celebrating Valentines Day, but we always make each other a little something. This was my contribution this year-a pair of lovebirds. I tried it on a couple of different coloured cards but this was my favourite.

Scout

This is a gift for two very close friends and their new arrival. I struggled with the colour combinations for a little while but I have finally decided upon the blue and coral image.

A better fish

Another attempt at printing using the Goldfish image with better inks. I think this design would work well on a t-shirt.

Linocut Print-Cardinal Beetle

This is my first attempt using three printing plates. I've tried to be quite brave with the colour choices on this one, contrasting acidic green with tomato red. I think the black pulls it together quite well as a whole image.

Goldfish

My first linocut attempt post-workshop. I'm running out of ink and have some on order so hopefully I will be able to reprint this next week but I'm quite pleased with it otherwise. Please excuse the wonky photography!

Linocut Printing Workshop

Today I have been on a fantastic linocut printing workshop, led by artist printmaker Amanda Hillier in Jackfield, Shropshire. Although I have had a go at linocut before if was great to get tips from a regular printmaker about how to transfer you image in the best possible way. Over the course of the day I used two blocks of soft cut lino, and had a go at reduction printing, meaning that I could have up to three layers of colour. I'm really pleased with the results and I'm feeling much more confident about producing further prints

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