Common Frog

I did this drawing of a Common Frog over 20 years ago in Waldendale, high up on the northern flank of Buckden Pike. At the time it struck me that it was a bit unusual to find one so far out on the moor and away from any sort of water. However, a few years later I came across another one at an even more exposed elevation just below the summit of Penyghent. Anyway to get back to this particular Frog. I did the drawing out on the moor with no other intention than just to record its presence. I thought it might come in useful if I ever needed reference for an illustration but I never did use it for anything. Whilst looking through my old sketchbooks earlier this week I came across the drawing, started playing around with some designs and came up with this ........

Common Frog.

Reduction Linocut, hand printed with some additional colouring. 180mm x 120mm.

Finished Lino Cut

Gordale Scar. 7 colour reduction lino cut, hand printed with a baren. 270mm x 170mm.

Gordale Scar in the Yorkshire Dales, not far from the village of Malham. The path goes round the corner behind the foreground cliff. At this point the crags really close in and the path ends at a waterfall where the stream from the valley above bursts into the gorge. A rough scramble up the side of the waterfall allows the walker to climb up out of the gorge onto the moor above. From here there is excellent walking across to Malham Tarn or to the great cliff of Malham Cove.

Nearly finished

I have been working on this lino cut for the last week and its now almost complete. Just two colours to go; a dark green and then black. By the weekend I should be able to post the finished image.

Jay

Tea at my Mum's tonight and this Jay in the back garden. Usually a very wary species this bird was surprisingly confiding.

Goldfinches

A trip to the bank this afternoon turned up this opportunity to draw Goldfinches in the Co-op car park.