About the Artist
Born in Hull U.K. 1985
Currently based in North Lincolnshire, U.K.
The printmaking methods I use are monotype and block print (woodcut and linocut). I enjoy monotype for its energy and immediacy, and block print for it's bold and uncompromising character, which make it neccessary to slow down and think clearly about the process.
My most recent prints have been a series of black and white monotypes depicting animals in different positions. The main aim of this work is to show movement and life, and also to emphasise the luminous and fluid qualities unique to monotype printmaking.
How the Monotypes are made
My monotypes are made using a plexiglass plate, brushes, rags, tissue and any other objects that might make an interesting mark in the ink.
Firstly, the smooth and clean plexiglass is inked with a roller, leaving an even layer of ink into which the image can be drawn. Using a white spirit, brushes, rags and other objects, the ink can be moved around and the image defined until it’s ready for printing.
For the smaller prints I use my bottle jack printing press, but the larger ones won’t fit and need to be hand rubbed. To do this, the plate is placed on a flat surface and dampened paper carefully rolled down on top. Pressure is then applied to the back of the paper with a smooth wooden baren (or sometimes a wooden spoon) to transfer the ink to the paper. Most of the ink is transferred from the plate to the paper, so only one print can be made (though a much paler ‘ghost print’ can be taken afterwards).