Recent new prints.
Tap images for a larger view and details.
Tap images for a larger view and details.
All of the prints here are for sale (unless marked as 'sold out') They are all totally original hand printed limited editions on fine paper. Size and edition details are on the captions
Prices for unframed prints range from £60 for a smaller simpler image, to £250+ for more complex works. I can ship unframed work anywhere in the world.
If you are interested in buying my work, please contact me for details and prices.
In a continuing attempt to take a less complex approach, these four latest prints are relatively straightforward linocuts overprinted with screenprint. 'Strawberry Thief' is self explanatory (and also a bit of a nod to one of my artistic heroes). 'Heron' is a sort of follow up to the 'Floating' otter (below) and both 'X is for Crossbill' and 'Bittern' are the latest reworking and upscaled versions of images from my Alphabet of Birds book.
I recently returned to my experiments with the use of signwriting adhesive vinyl to make screenprint stencils. This time to combine the graphic qualities of linocut with the speed and versatility of screenprint. All three were a one or two stage reduction linocut, printed first; then simple hand cut vinyl stencils used to screenprint transparent colour over the top of the lino print. I have written a short blog post to explain further.
Floating, Gannets Eye and Goldies were all done very quickly to serve as demonstration pieces to show this technique.
Floating, Gannets Eye and Goldies were all done very quickly to serve as demonstration pieces to show this technique.
Sometimes when making a combined linocut and screen print, I like the simple linocut image just as it is. So I will sometimes make a first edition using the block in its initial state. I've been carried away a bit with this idea lately - so here are four recent ones doing something like that:
'The Dipper's Secret' revisits one of the small cuts I made for my Alphabet of Birds book; a one colour print,then a three stage reduction with overprinted screenprinted tints.
'Bell Ringer was first released as an unnumbered open edition in one colour. I then took the block and made the planned, quite complex colour lino reduction; overprinted with more screenprinted colour. 'Dear Child' was first a single colour linocut with the addition of screenprint colour. I then, from the same block, made a conventional three stage linocut reduction print. 'The King of the Fence' revisits both a subject I've done before - that wonderfully powerful wee bird - the Wren; and also the use of blind embossing (well de-bossing really) technique for his breath in the cold air. I made both a one colour linocut with screen print overprinted layers; followed by a three stage lino reduction of the same block.
'Bell Ringer was first released as an unnumbered open edition in one colour. I then took the block and made the planned, quite complex colour lino reduction; overprinted with more screenprinted colour. 'Dear Child' was first a single colour linocut with the addition of screenprint colour. I then, from the same block, made a conventional three stage linocut reduction print. 'The King of the Fence' revisits both a subject I've done before - that wonderfully powerful wee bird - the Wren; and also the use of blind embossing (well de-bossing really) technique for his breath in the cold air. I made both a one colour linocut with screen print overprinted layers; followed by a three stage lino reduction of the same block.
A new technical venture...of sorts
Although I have a fully equipped studio of my own, I remain interested in what printmaking can be achieved with the most basic facilities and equipment. One recent aspect of simple printmaking I have been trialling is the use of vinyl stencil films to make reusable simple screenprint stencils.
In the course of the experiments I first made the small editions of 'Blackcock', 'Puffin' and 'Peewit'
I then changed some of the material I was trialling to something even easier to use and made the larger 'Nuthatch'.
All of these were made without any chemicals or special equipment. See my blog for more information.
Although I have a fully equipped studio of my own, I remain interested in what printmaking can be achieved with the most basic facilities and equipment. One recent aspect of simple printmaking I have been trialling is the use of vinyl stencil films to make reusable simple screenprint stencils.
In the course of the experiments I first made the small editions of 'Blackcock', 'Puffin' and 'Peewit'
I then changed some of the material I was trialling to something even easier to use and made the larger 'Nuthatch'.
All of these were made without any chemicals or special equipment. See my blog for more information.
As a lead up to thinking in terms of very simple stencil shapes I first completed this edition; 'Bullfinches' using hand cut red film 'positives' to make screen photo stencils.
Other recently completed prints, from ideas and inspirations that have been around for a while were: 'Oystercatcher 2', 'Moon Shadow', and 'Jay' (the making of which I recorded as a short video. )
All are all are linocut reductions overprinted with screen printed colour.
Other recently completed prints, from ideas and inspirations that have been around for a while were: 'Oystercatcher 2', 'Moon Shadow', and 'Jay' (the making of which I recorded as a short video. )
All are all are linocut reductions overprinted with screen printed colour.
'I am The One' is a large print, based on a thought I have that within the wondrous roost gatherings of starlings, there might be one of them that makes all the decisions!
I am the One
The One who decides
A flick of my wing
A turn of my head
And my millions follow
The pheasant; 'Christmas Dinner' was a commission of sorts, which I really enjoyed making. I have had some suitably posh seasonal greetings cards made of it. Contact me for availability.
I am the One
The One who decides
A flick of my wing
A turn of my head
And my millions follow
The pheasant; 'Christmas Dinner' was a commission of sorts, which I really enjoyed making. I have had some suitably posh seasonal greetings cards made of it. Contact me for availability.
For the two hare prints I again revisited the fascinating translation by Seamus Heaney of the list/poem, originally written in Middle English; 'The Names of the Hare' I also repeated the method of utilising one image to make a second version. First was a one colour linocut edition. I then used that to make the smaller colour and metallic ink version in screenprint.
This one is my favourite of this years work. It took quite a while to complete satisfactorily but it was worth it. 'I shall go into a Hare' (A portrait of Isobel Gowdie)
I have done a few prints over the years that reference some of the folklore concerning witches, the flower harebell and its use in making potions to enable 'shapeshifting' into a hare. This is the latest. I'm amazed to say that half of the edition of 20 sold in the first week of availability!
Click on the detail images below for a closer look.
And here is a link to some information about poor Isobel who inspired it all. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobel_Gowdie
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'Glimpse' was another combination of linocut and screenprint; and again explored the use of 'Muybridge Motion'. Those following my social media posts will know the drama that went with the making of this!
Glimpse Below the weir The river smooths Her ruffled dress And there – Just a glimpse A shining stone Becomes a curving back. |
This print was one I had little confidence in being well received; insomuch as it is probably not accurate enough for actual falconers, but too 'accurately graphic' for the taste of many. Never mind. I'm delighted with it! It came from this 'circular' poem. And a video of its making is here
Song of the Rake Down from the Land o’ the Leal I came Before you even knew Each of my golden feet Were both A hammer and sickle for you And Slipping the shaft of my sight I fall To bring my kiss to you And as I smoothly stroke Your back Our ancient vows renew And |
As many of my prints consist of overprinting transparent 'washes' of colour over a linocut image, I have continued to enjoy keeping back an edition of the simple original linocut image.
'Fidra - A Shetland Tup' was a sort of commission that actually coincided with an idea I'd had for a while to do a large print of one of my neighbour's Shetlands. And 'Quiet Bed' is a re-visit to an idea I worked on some years ago. Both have separate one colour linocut editions as well as the 'full colour' versions.
'Fidra - A Shetland Tup' was a sort of commission that actually coincided with an idea I'd had for a while to do a large print of one of my neighbour's Shetlands. And 'Quiet Bed' is a re-visit to an idea I worked on some years ago. Both have separate one colour linocut editions as well as the 'full colour' versions.
Other recent prints:
All these full editions also made in the last few months are also made with combinations of linocut and screen prints; and each also has two versions; mostly using the original lino block first for a simple two or three colour print, then reducing the lino image through several stages to produce a 'colour' version.
The Mink and the Vole is (like 'Dandy Lion' and 'Squeakers' below') hopefully destined for a new book from Mascot Media on British Mammals.
The Fox and the Crow prints began as a very simple idea to use an image I had in my head of a fox looking upward - and just grew in the doing into two actual editions which are a slight departure in style for me and linked to thoughts of more books.
All these full editions also made in the last few months are also made with combinations of linocut and screen prints; and each also has two versions; mostly using the original lino block first for a simple two or three colour print, then reducing the lino image through several stages to produce a 'colour' version.
The Mink and the Vole is (like 'Dandy Lion' and 'Squeakers' below') hopefully destined for a new book from Mascot Media on British Mammals.
The Fox and the Crow prints began as a very simple idea to use an image I had in my head of a fox looking upward - and just grew in the doing into two actual editions which are a slight departure in style for me and linked to thoughts of more books.
Other prints from last year
'Catch' is the second kingfisher in a few months - both of them included in a new book from Mascot Media
'Long Tailed Tits' celebrates some regular tiny visitors to our garden. I made a couple of instructional videos using this print as an example of how I combine the registration of linocut and screen print together. Part 1 is here and Part 2 here.
Breath of Spring uses blind embossing for the breath), and Caerlaverock Barnacles celebrates the many thousands of Barnacle gees who visit us here in the winter months.
'Catch' is the second kingfisher in a few months - both of them included in a new book from Mascot Media
'Long Tailed Tits' celebrates some regular tiny visitors to our garden. I made a couple of instructional videos using this print as an example of how I combine the registration of linocut and screen print together. Part 1 is here and Part 2 here.
Breath of Spring uses blind embossing for the breath), and Caerlaverock Barnacles celebrates the many thousands of Barnacle gees who visit us here in the winter months.
'Stride' is a little print made using the lino blocks I carved originally intending to impress them in to clay objects. Another Covid Casualty Project! The Fishing otters were fun to do and the 'Dandy Lion' and 'Squeakers' were made in response to discussions with a publisher about those British mammals less commonly chosen by printmakers.
This 'Spuggies' (Sparrows) print was my first 'Lockdown Project' and took a long time to complete; partly because of that strange time and partly because it is large and complex and was long winded print to make. Here is a video on the technical details of this. https://youtu.be/-JQb7RJCSm4
The Curlew is an iconic bird of this area of SW Scotland and is in severe and worrying decline. I made a tiny 'study' version of this too. The Fisherman is another print using direct painting on to the screen mesh with filler; over the top of a manipulated linocut image.
Blue hare - Red Grouse is an example of something I do more of these days: I used the old original text block from a previous version of this image, but completely re-did the hare and also added a small oncoming covey of grouse; to completely revise one of my personal favourites.
Next are two large screen prints made specifically in response to a brief for a planned exhibition in Belfast, about 'The North Channel' - the strip of sea between N. Ireland and W. Scotland; which has seen much significant travel over the centuries. It was planned to exhibit them as a pair - along with their associated poems. Sadly - due to the Covid 19 restrictions, the exhibition is postponed. The images are made entirely by hand painting stencils directly on to the mesh of the screens; along with the use of blended colour. The poem texts have then been added by photo stencil.
More slightly earlier prints
The Raven was great fun to do. See blog post about it here. The Mouse is a little joke I've made before, but given a better linocut treatment. The Spell (now sold out) was one of the fastest selling prints I've ever done and was made from a tools demo lino block. The Blackcap was a further attempt at 'blind embossing very heavy paper with lino.
The Raven was great fun to do. See blog post about it here. The Mouse is a little joke I've made before, but given a better linocut treatment. The Spell (now sold out) was one of the fastest selling prints I've ever done and was made from a tools demo lino block. The Blackcap was a further attempt at 'blind embossing very heavy paper with lino.
Two of these next four pieces were both commissions of a sort. This is not something I normally do as most people would not want to pay for a full edition. So I have to be convinced that I will be happy to treat the print as my own and the commissioner will get 'first pick'.
'Stonehouse Godwit' is a large portrait of a friend's young pedigree rare breed bull and 'Habitat' is planned to be included in a fund raising book of 'UK birds of conservation concern'.
The other two are an image and poem inspired by young swallows in our barn; and also a re-visit - only much smaller - of an image I have done before.
'Stonehouse Godwit' is a large portrait of a friend's young pedigree rare breed bull and 'Habitat' is planned to be included in a fund raising book of 'UK birds of conservation concern'.
The other two are an image and poem inspired by young swallows in our barn; and also a re-visit - only much smaller - of an image I have done before.
Other work:
Winter Visitors was something of a marathon and the greenman/hare image - 'Autumn Witch' was a print and idea which I began with little clear idea of where it might end up! See my blog for the full stories on how both of these prints were made. 'Silence' is a screen print; made entirely by hand painting stencils directly on to the screen - and 'One plus One' evokes a boyhood memory of surprising two courting Adders under a log pile.
Winter Visitors was something of a marathon and the greenman/hare image - 'Autumn Witch' was a print and idea which I began with little clear idea of where it might end up! See my blog for the full stories on how both of these prints were made. 'Silence' is a screen print; made entirely by hand painting stencils directly on to the screen - and 'One plus One' evokes a boyhood memory of surprising two courting Adders under a log pile.
Most of these below are linocuts with additional screenprinted colour. Also some experimenting again with both 'blind embossing' lino and use of gold ink.
Some of the smaller ones were made making use of the small portable press I discovered last year - the 'XCut XPress' - the use for printmaking of which has already developed into something of a world-wide movement! Again - See the Blog for more on this.
More from earlier: some using only hand painted screenprint stencils; the others - as usual - combining linocut and screenprint; sometimes with separate overprinted lino blocks.
