Yesterday I spent a very therapeutic and educational day at Gallery Forty5 in Feltham learning the basic skills of lino printing. I had tried this about 3 years ago and was spectacularly unsuccessful which dampened my enthusiasm. The day long course run by Diana Fitzpatrick made me understand that there are tips which help it work which I hadn't been aware of and working along side a small talented and enthusiastic group we produced some personal masterpieces. It was a great days work in a class which went from quiet contemplation and intense concentration to non stop chat and excitement as the first prints started to emerge.
What always fascinates me it the way everyone chooses to do something different - there are varied levels of complexity and design but every single piece of work emerges as a lovely piece of art and is eagerly shared across the group giving support and inspiration for the potential next piece.
I choose to keep my designs really simple - a consequence of trying something too complex the time before. I had this idea I might use a design to make my Christmas cards (and may still do) and I looked back over my summer sketch book for ideas. I thought as so much of my summer had involved bear hunting - as in spotting, not killing- I would use a bear image. This was moderately successful but most importantly helped me experiment and master the basic techniques but as with most things practice is important and I could see how my design could be improved - added to - refined in places and generally tidied up.
I learnt how the different sized cutters could be employed to make varied marks and how important it was to go slowly to avoid cutting the wrong bits out, it cant be put back once its gone!! The whole process gave me an insight into how much work, skill and talent goes into some of the wonderful prints I have seen in local and national galleries.
Nonetheless I was pleased with my first attempt and was inspired to try again this time drawing freehand onto the lino a quick simple sketch of snowdrops, another potential Christmas theme. This time my cutting and carving was much better - I found it easier and was able to work out the positives and negatives better. this meant i was more aware of where to cut away and also much tidier which is evident in the final print.
I am inspired to do some more lino prints both on paper and on fabric. There is a lot of really interesting ideas out there on various sites and I am a great fan of Melanie Brummer a South African artist who does amazing up cycling of fabrics using lino printing.. with a bit mote practice I may be able to emulate some of her practice, but for now I will experiment with single pieces until I get the hang of it.
What always fascinates me it the way everyone chooses to do something different - there are varied levels of complexity and design but every single piece of work emerges as a lovely piece of art and is eagerly shared across the group giving support and inspiration for the potential next piece.
I choose to keep my designs really simple - a consequence of trying something too complex the time before. I had this idea I might use a design to make my Christmas cards (and may still do) and I looked back over my summer sketch book for ideas. I thought as so much of my summer had involved bear hunting - as in spotting, not killing- I would use a bear image. This was moderately successful but most importantly helped me experiment and master the basic techniques but as with most things practice is important and I could see how my design could be improved - added to - refined in places and generally tidied up.
I learnt how the different sized cutters could be employed to make varied marks and how important it was to go slowly to avoid cutting the wrong bits out, it cant be put back once its gone!! The whole process gave me an insight into how much work, skill and talent goes into some of the wonderful prints I have seen in local and national galleries.
Nonetheless I was pleased with my first attempt and was inspired to try again this time drawing freehand onto the lino a quick simple sketch of snowdrops, another potential Christmas theme. This time my cutting and carving was much better - I found it easier and was able to work out the positives and negatives better. this meant i was more aware of where to cut away and also much tidier which is evident in the final print.
I am inspired to do some more lino prints both on paper and on fabric. There is a lot of really interesting ideas out there on various sites and I am a great fan of Melanie Brummer a South African artist who does amazing up cycling of fabrics using lino printing.. with a bit mote practice I may be able to emulate some of her practice, but for now I will experiment with single pieces until I get the hang of it.
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