Above Abergavenny

Towards A40 and Raglan from the Blorenge with oil seed rape

Latest sketch

Old ash tree exploded by lightening near Lower Pen y Graig

An old ash tree split in 2 but still sending up new shoots.

Sketch book latest

St Elvan's Sketch

Mixed media sketch of St Elvan's tower and spire. Approx 8" x 5" on paper.

Chapel card designs

Cards drying

 

The text for the cards is typeset using lead type in a chase and then printed onto the card using either an Adana Five-Three or Adana Eight-Five table top platen press. The type for the rear of the cards is the same for the different designs and this is kept locked up in a spare chase. The text for the front is made up to suit each particular design so that small runs of up to 20 cards can be made. If a later run of cards is made there will be differences in the layout and appearance of the text.

The image for the front of the cards is made using linoleum. This is first drawn in pen, then copied onto tracing paper with a soft pencil. The reversed image is then rubbed onto the lino block. A border is made the same size as the card to ensure accurate registration. The image is drawn over in black ink so that it is clear which areas are to be carved away. The lino is carved using a fine gouge and craft knife so that it can be printed easily with as few marks as possible.

Once the lino is carved the image is tested on paper and then card to check for clarity and registration. The cards are produced by inking the lino with a roller and then placing the card carefully over the lino block. These are then placed under the middle of the nipping press and an appropriate pressure applied.

The ink used for the text and the relief printing is the same, in this case it is Caligo safe wash ink which produces consistent results and dries fairly quickly to produce an even sheen. The card is ready creased A6 card with a smooth white or cream finish. Once the ink has dried the cards are checked to ensure there are no nasty thumb prints or missing text and then packed in polycarbonate sleeves with brilliant white envelopes.

Linocut of Crickhowell

 Hanging up to dry - the latest building montage, this one of Crickhowell. Each is printed using Caligo ink (Made in Wales!) onto off white smooth 70lb paper. The image is printed from the lino block by hand using the back of a spoon as the image is too large to go in my nipping press.

Latest sketchbook

View towards Newport Docks from St Brides
 

The coast between Cardiff and Newport is a great place to go and sketch with its big sky and mix of wilderness and industry.

Aberdare Art

Bench patterns

As part of the printing heritage project in Aberdare; Sebastien Boyeson, the artist who designed the new benches and other features in the town centre gave a talk on how he came to produce the designs he did. Here are some of the patterns and samples he brought along. The bench supports, made from cast iron, actually represent individual cast sorts. The front is the type face. and the back represents the foot and groove of the sort. The rest of the benches are made from aluminium.

The theme for his artwork follows the brief to produce benches that would reflect the rich printing heritage of Aberdare.