Sunday 20 July 2008

Lino Print Weekend

Wow. What an amazing weekend. Carrie, Mary and I booked months ago to attend a Lino Print Workshop at the Print Museum, and as things have been so hectic recently I put all thoughts of it to the back burner. As a result I was in a bit of a tiz on Friday night trying to figure out what to bring with me!

The workshop was run by a print artist called Caroline Byrne and the brief was to bring with you source materials in the form of drawings, photos or other images. Friday night I trawled through Picassa and printed off a random set of images, unsure as to what really would be of use.

The workshop kicked off with Caroline showing us some of her own work, and introducing us to the techniques and tools of lino cutting. We got stuck into 'practice' blocks of lino with our tools and gouged and hacked away at these pieces to get a feel for the tools. Then we inked and printed the (very) abstract blocks to get a feel for the process.

Next we were instructed to chose an image to develop as a print. This is where fear set in for me. I find the 'development' of a piece of artwork overwhelming and terrifying for the most part. So I sat quaking for about 10 mins, til I realised I really better do something as everyone else seemed to be steaming along! eeeeek!

So out come the photos and I try to choose an image that suits the medium. I decided on 2 images that I thought might be suitable, which I traced out and transferred onto the lino blocks using carbon paper. So I had my two central images in place. I carved out the boat image with some direction from Caroline. Now to create a background to suit.







As day 1 had finished I brought the images back to Mary's to play with in the evening. While out to dinner I found the perfect background for the Heron. Then I created a stylised pebble style beach for my boat using Carrie's japense hole-punch. I fell into bed with a copy of Artist and Illustrator to pour over.



I woke early and lay in bed thinking about my Heron piece, I was so caught up in the process I crept out of bed and down to Marys studio and worked on the piece til the others got out of bed. The Boat plate I finished at the workshop, the final choice of the 'sea' background having struggled to find the right finish.




Well I had 2 small size plates complete and ran them up on Newsprint to get a feel for the inksand plates and to create masks for the colour work. Having cut out my masks I got started on my first colour - a lovely blue/grey which Caroline suggested I use for both prints and run them on both the Chinese Paper and Cotton Paper for the first colour run. This was pretty time consuming so it was a while before I was ready to move onto my second colour - yellow.


Cotton Paper

Japanese Paper


Here the full impact of the 'registration' process comes into play. And actually it's quite fun masking off the different layers and registering the print. Although I would like to explore this more without the time and resource contstraints of a workshop situation - but it did push me to achieve results!!

Cotton Paper


Caroline pushed me to achieve a 3-colour print, and I succeeded with both my plates to do just this. But having reached the goal she set I still had time to run off a couple of single colour prints for myself. I choose to run the Heron in a dark red ink on cotton rag paper. And I am so very happy with the results. I plan to frame this print and hang it in pride of place.


19 comments:

Paula J Atkinson said...

Sounds a fabulous technique & definately one I would need to practise a lot! I love your chosen images. They look so different on each of the papers.

Caroline Moore said...

I've seen these worked through from start to finish and they are very impressive - I love the heron especially.

Seona said...

These are stunning Audrey - the heron in particular is amazing. Love the subtle finish on the cotton but the strength of the heron in the last image is striking.

Emma said...

WOW Audrey, these are stunning.. the heron is just gorgeous especially that last one and I love the boat, reminds me of days by the sea. Glad you had a great weekend!

Galina Varese said...

Excellent work, Audrey!

Carol Q said...

phew, that's really time consuming Audrey. the finished article is fab, particularly the heron. I can see why you enjoyed the weekend so much!

Gillian .... said...

The heron piece is gorgeous Audrey, you have been working hard at your weekend away and created some amazing work.:)

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

Hi Audrey, (sorry about previous post I tried to correct it)!
Your prints are fabulous and I love the crane and the background with it. Also the 3 colour technique on the boat is lovely.
I cannot believe you are a total beginner! Your work is very professional!

Ann said...

Wow Audrey, these are fantastic, i love both pieces and cant decide which is my favourite! xx

Kathy said...

the heron is great how are your knuckels did you get scraped?

Anonymous said...

Looking at thjis in a hurry, (I`m in Stockholm) It is absolut wonderful. Have to look more whwn I`m back!
Regards from Scrappelise

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

Amazing detail...LOVE the heron. I can see you doing lots more of these as it sounds like you have a great time.

Karin said...

The heron piece is amazing Audrey, sounds like you've had a fantastic weekend away and created some lovely pieces bet your hands ached after all that carving, but well worthwhile. :o)

Elisa said...

They are turned out great, Audrey. The last one, is the one that made me go WOW!!! Brilliant!!!

L-Bee said...

Great lino prints Audrey.... I remember doing this in school but my results where nothing a good as yours!!!!!

(check out my blog I've given you an award....)

Lainey said...

Wow great workshop Audrey. You make it sound so simple LOL! Love the Heron - can't wait to see him framed!

Kaz said...

Audrey this is really fantastic!! you are a talented moo. love your stamps.

x said...

fab...love all your work...so creative and beautiful...:-)