Always something new to learn

A major fascination which keeps me printing is the endless number of ways artists find to use the simplest tools.

I recently read a great article about tugboat printshop in the USA.

(Uppercase magazine - one of the most inspiring journals around, available from the V&A)

Anyway - the owners described cutting and inking a master woodblock, printing the image on to plastic then transferring the wet ink on to the next block, ready for cutting with perfect registration.

This offset technique might be familiar to some of you and I'm quite sure I could have worked this out as a solution if I was making multiple Lino blocks - I don't as it always seemed so tedious.

It worked a dream with A level student today -thank you Uppercase & Tugboat.

(Both organisations have interesting websites)

First print - pleased & proud!

Rolling over back of plastic to transfer ink from original block

Really clear impression ready to transfer 

Image transferred on to second Lino -

SO easy!

Cambridge Original Printmakers exhibition - Autumn 2014

Cambridge Original Printmakers
Exhibition Autumn 2014

Dear BBH Print Society

Re: The launch exhibition of Cambridge Original Printmakers 

We are sending you this email as the inaugural exhibition showcasing the work of 

41 Printmakers will be launched in September and it may be of interest to your members.  The exhibition will also include work from the three Print Houses based in Cambridge 

and will include demonstrations.  The founders of the exhibition are also thrilled to announce that there will be talks during the two weekends from prominent UK Printmakers including Sir Stanley Jones, a Master Printmaker who has worked with artists such as Hockney, Hepworth and Moore throughout his career. 

It  has taken many months of planning but it is now firmly on the art scene calendar and definitely not one that anyone interested in hand-pulled original prints should miss!  

The inaugural exhibition will take place at the Pitt Building, owned by the Cambridge University Press, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB. 

Doors open on Saturday 27 September from 10.30 am until 5pm daily until 

Saturday 4 October 2014. On Sunday 5 October doors will close at 1pm.

For more information please go to http://cambridgeoriginalprintmakers.com/

I have attached some photographs for you. We also have some publicity cards - 

if you would like us to send you some then please let us know. 

If you would like to talk to us directly please email us at info@cambridgeoriginalprintmakers.com 

Many thanks,

The Cambridge Original Printmakers team

Andy McKenzie

Anna Pye

Tracey AShman

An interesting and inspiring read

Two inspiring books to read.

Austin Kleon can also be found on youtube presenting lectures on developing a creative career.

Show your work is an ideal read for anyone wanting to get their work noticed using digital media to 

'Let the audience find you'.

Also take a look at www.dribbble.com - an example of the global support groups out there>>>>>>

A network for designers to share what they are working on.

If you don't already use www.pinterest.com log on.

A fantastic visual resource to see and collect exciting examples by other creatives.

Picasso prints at the British Museum

The British Museum have just acquired 2 interesting sets of Picasso linocut prints.

The remarkable collection contains a complete set of print stages for each image showing how the plates were developed leading through to the finished piece.

A portrait and multi colour still life under lightbulb.

Unfortunately the display of these pieces comes down this weekend.

However these will be accessible through the print room study centre.

First block has been worked with a metal fork and other tools to scratch in to the surface.

Really interesting marks created.

A gouge was used to remove highlight areas.

(I have got to try this)

Second block cut to define form.

Final print.

William Kentridge - touring printmaking show

I managed to get to see the Southbank touring show on its last leg at Aberystwyth university.

It was a long drive but worth it.

Kentridge has become my latest art hero.

If you are unfamiliar with his work Tate have recently published a good book as part of their artists biography series.

The Hayward gallery have created a universal archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker.

Even better is William Kentridge Fortuna by Thames & Hudson.

The artist is an outstanding and prolific maker across a wide range of media.

One piece which stood out was an interesting set of prints of coffe pots created by painting 

directly on to the linocut to form the template for cutting.

Now I know that this does not seem particularly remarkable, considering the range of outstanding experimental printmaking Kentridge creates, but the Lino prints maintain the spontaneous, varied lines and marks of the quick paint studies.

It does make cutting interesting and a challenge.

The picture shows one of my A level student having a go.

May Flowers - members gallery one

 Gallery One - May Flowers

Helen Boden

 Sparkle of Life

 Deep in Thought

 Pause for Thought

Marian Carter

I have been working on some photopolymer etchings of drawings recently and having great fun experimenting with colour both with inks and chine colle.

The plate I am printing in the photographs is from a drawing I did last weekend of some peonies.

www.mariancarterart.co.uk 

Alexandra Buckle

Mini Cow Parsley, reduction linocut, 7.5cm x 10cm

&

Stoke Wood Bluebells, reduction linocut, 30cm x 20cm

http://www.alexandrabuckle.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/AlexandraBuckleArt

http://twitter.com/#!/AlexandraBuckle

Douglas Anderson

Initial watercolour studies are transferred on to photopolymer plates (exposed in the sun).

Left image printed on Somerset paper with Caligo oil based inks.

Right image printed on to fine cotton. Watercolour and freehand machine embroidery added.

www.dandersonarts.co.uk

puddledaypress.blogspot.com

Interesting blogs / guidance / learning websites

An interesting website and good examples / guidance about setting up a blog
For those of you still to develop your digital profile this might be useful.

http://www.finearttips.com/2014/05/6-great-art-blogs-for-those-addicted-to-learning/

Linocut in school

I couldn't resist sharing the work by 3 of my GCSE students created this week.

Their teacher is "pleased & proud".

Teaching can provide days to make you smile.

Douglas.