"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.




Monday 25 August 2014

The Angel of the North - 20:20 Print Exchange

Finally finished the small print for the 20:20 Print exchange. 8 colours on 25 prints.


This was supposed to be the final colour but after spending most of yesterday evening staring at it I decided to add a final dark.


Drying on the floor as I'm running out of space.


The final print after 8 colours with some glare from the still wet ink.

I also printed a simple 2 colour version using the same block.


Not sure which version I prefer.

Friday 22 August 2014

Angel of the North


Almost finished this small print and after 6 colours the subject is now obvious. The Angel of the North at Gateshead. Only one more colour to go so it should be finished this weekend.

The Angel dominates the landscape around it and I was keen to retain this aspect in the print. Not easy working in such a small format. The image is only 140mm x 140mm. Hopefully this will come across in the finished print.

Sunday 10 August 2014

20-20 Print Exchange

I have agreed to take part in the 20x20 print exchange organised by Hot Bed Press in Salford. Never done this before and it's proving something of a challange. The prints have to be no bigger than the 20cm x 20cm paper size, Which is much smaller than I normally work, the format is square which I don't find an easy format to compose within and the edition size has to be 25, which by my standards is enormous. Anyway I think I have come up with a good composition so here goes.

Colour 1; a light grey and some fluffy clouds.



Colour 2; a dark to light blue blend. The block inked ready for printing.


and the print, and just maybe there is enough information here to recognise the subject.


Saturday 9 August 2014

Working Holiday

A selection of sketches from holiday on the Ceredigion Coast in Mid Wales.


Views from the cottage in the hills above Llanrhystud. Pen and ink on the left and pencil and watercolour on the right.


Aberystwyth Pier. Pen and ink.


Evening Sky and the northern sweep of Cardigan Bay with Snowdonia and the hills of the Lleyn Peninsular strung out along the horizon like a row of islands. Watercolour.



Stonechats (left) and the cliffs north of Llangrannog (right). Both pen and ink.



Llangrannog. Pen and ink.



Swallows on telephone wires (left) and Ynys Lochtyn (right). Both Pen and ink.



Ynys Loctyn. Watercolour. There's a print here!




Two pages of sketches of Gatekeeper Butterflies. Watercolour.



Aberystwyth Castle and War Memorial. Pen and ink. Another print.