"The artist...is also a born adventurer. His explorations, unlike those of a tourist, are rewarded by the discovery of beauty spots unmentioned in the guide books, and with tireless curiosity and an exceptional proneness to wonderment, he will come upon objects of remarkable interest overlooked or even shunned by more disciplined observers."

Augustus John, R.A.




Sunday 26 February 2012

Next colours on the new print

Not much of the first colour will appear in the finished print, so carving away for the second colour, this pale blue went fairly quickly.
Now for some more complicated carving before printing the third colour which will be a darker tone of the same blue.

This isn't right.
There is a tonal difference here but not the one I was after. I got a bit impatient and instead of waiting until daylight, so that I could see what I was doing. I printed it during the evening under a rather dodgy artificial light. I knew it was wrong as soon as I'd done the first couple of prints, so I had another go in the morning.


Thats better. The image is now starting to make a little more sense.

There is quite a lot of material to remove now before the next colour can be printed. A good thing as it will give me a chance to ponder on the next stage. At some point I need to introduce a small patch of bright red. I'm not sure yet when, or how to do this. Time for a bottle of beer and some thinking.


Sunday 19 February 2012

New Print - First Stage

I've started a new print. I'll not show the initial working drawings as they will give the reveal away. Although the subject may already be apparent to some at this stage.

First colour after some very fiddly initial carving is this warm light grey. This colour will only show in a few areas but will help give some form to the lighter areas. 




After carving this stage the rest of the print should be relatively straight forward. Another five or six colours should see it finished. Stay tuned!

Sunday 12 February 2012

Last of the Illustrations

Finished the set of drawings for the local bird report. Here are the final three...

Common Sandpiper
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm.

Rough Legged Buzzard
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm

Common Whitethroat
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm.

Just got the cover to go now - watch this space!

Sunday 5 February 2012

More Illustrations

Woodcock distraction display.
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm.

Whilst cycling through Grass Wood in Wharfedale one afternoon this Woodcock flew across the road infront of me. It landed in the wood beside the road, limped off through the undergrowth, dragging one wing and making a call not unlike a Water Rail. The distraction worked as I was unable to find the brood of young it must have had crouched hidden nearby.
Dunnock
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm


Reed Bunting singing from a Phragmites stem.
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm.


Robin
Pencil and Ink Wash. 100mm x 140mm.