Friday's print

Friday's print, titled Starbucks Lasses. I'm alarmed by the success of this plate, as I had no idea how it would turn out, (well, I had some idea), but didn't think it would have such rich dark tones. I used a cloth to push into the soft wax ground to get a jumper texture, which is quite subtle but you can just about see on the right hand figure.

It is 40x16cm.

Original small drawing

I started to draw the scene, and concentrated on the hilly nature of the view. Then a lady came to have a nosey and so explained what I was doing. After that I decided to move a little down the hill because the view which was most interesting was one I saw every time I crossed the road from the bus stop. Finally, its on paper after 3 years!

Across the road

This is my next project- the view across the road from my flat in London. I'm undecided about whether to do an aquatint or drypoint.

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Aquatint.

Success with the aquatint!

Well, well, well, after wondering why some of my prints had been a bit of a worry with the aquatint, I realised that the attractive speckly effect on them was because of the interference of grease and rosin. So, after a bit of expert guidance I have started gently tickling the plate with Flash Lemon All Purpose Cleaner solution and a big soft brush. Now I'm starting to get accurate effects on my etchings, and lots of stress has been removed.

Both prints: Levens Hall, Cumbria, UK. 30x20cm aquatint

Banners etching gets the watercolour treatment

This trio is from a single etching of Banners Restaurant in London, with watercolour added. It can completely change the mood of an image.

The Treasurers House, York

On a very hot day I went to hide in the coolness of the garden at the Treasurers House, York. I used a Tombow brush pen and a Khadi drawing pad, and tried to draw the scene with different marks, so to keep the variety on the page. This will probably be turned into an etching. The drawing is 48x16cm.