Review of 2025 in pictures

Here’s a gallery of prints and images from this year.

Boars Head Hotel by Neil Robinson, Drypoint

Vernon Park bandstand by Neil Robinson, Eco Image Transfer

The main highlight from this year was receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership. It was huge surprise and I was deeply flattered to receive the award in recognition of my outstanding contribution to Stockport Art Guild.

Other highlights include my very first go at hosting a series of printmaking workshops using the Eco Image Transfer technique. The workshops have proved very popular. I am also pleased to have prints in both the 20:20 Hotbed Press International Print Exchange and the IPE – International Print Exchange.

I have also started to work with Generative Artificial intelligence (AI) to bring to life my prints.

In the summer, I visited the heritage centre and did some reading up on local history including Woodbank Park.

On a day trip to London, I looked around the annual London Original Print Fair (LOPF) at Somerset House which is always worth a visit. A worthy mention was visiting PrintFest in Ulverston and the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair at the GMEX.

I am looking forward to a new year of printmaking, watch this space, there’s more to come!

Here’s wishing everyone who reads this blog a Happy New 2026!

Cheers,
Neil.

Boars Head Hotel drypoint

Here is my first proof print of the Boars Head Hotel drypoint which is one of a series of drypoints I will be working on in the coming months.

The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

The Friends’ Christmas Fair at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum.

Over 40 Stalls Selling Crafts and Gifts

Haslingden & Helmshore Brass Band

Tombola

Name the Elf

Princess Characters

Children’s Choir

Father Christmas

Food and Drink

Vintage Bus Doing Local Pick Ups

Saturday 29 November 10.30am-4pm

Entry £5 Adults Under 18s Free

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 4NP

Telephone Number 01706 226459

Centenary of the War Memorial Art Gallery

Last month, I was invited to a preview of a new exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to celebrate 100 years of the building.

The building is unique in the UK in that it is a war memorial honouring the fallen from previous world wars and also a public space to display artworks both amateur and professional alike.

During the evening. a number of speeches were given, one was by my artist friend Peter Davis MAFA CBPP who is a former archivist of Stockport Art Guild. Peter spoke about the strong relationship between the Art Gallery and the Art Guild.

Me at the exhibition preview of ‘Beautiful Things’

Incidentally, over 10 years ago, before I began this project, I created an etching print of the war memorial art gallery.

‘Stockport Art Gallery’ (Etching Aquatint)

The current exhibition at the gallery is a celebration of the building’s history and role in the local community.

Local children have contributed a colourful creative display of artwork in the exhibition. There is also a good selection of prints on display including some well known artists such as painter and graphic designer Patrick Caulfield

Working with Grok

I have recently been experimenting with Artificial Intelligence tool on my phone and transformed some of my prints into short animated sequences. The results are impressive and bazaar. Sound and music has been added automatically to each clip and on one clip I can hear some dialogue. Take a look below ⬇️

Pear Mill etching

Pear Mill tower (Etching Aquatint) 27 x 20 cm

Pear Mill tower (Etching Aquatint) 27 x 20 cm (Sepia version)

Workshops

August has been a busy month for me and it’s not over yet.

On Sunday 10th August, I helped my friend out at an Intaglio printmaking workshop organised by Stockport Art Guild.

Alan Birch was running a 3 hour drypoint session at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery with approximately 15 participants. I was in charge of preparing the paper ensuring it was damp enough and blotted and ready for being printed. The prints created that day were of high quality and there is the possibility of running some more workshops.

A week later on Sunday 17th, I had my chance to run my own workshop at the art gallery which was demonstrating how to create Eco Image Transfer prints.

The 2 hour session went well and participants created some interesting work on cartridge paper, Balsa wood and Fabriano paper. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce this mono printmaking technique using household objects and materials.

I included a photo of the art gallery as a printing subject as it tied in well with the centenary celebrations of the war memorial and art gallery.

Last weekend, I visited the heritage centre based inside St. Mary’s church at the marketplace. The centre is open every Tuesday and Saturday.

The archive includes many photographs, found objects from archeological digs and books about the history of the town.

I spoke with one of its patrons, Jill Trumble and had a look through some of the photographic archive. I think a repeat visit is on the cards as next month there will be an exhibition on Woodbank hall.

I still have to sign and edition my prints for International Print Exchange and the Hotbed press 20:20.

My IPE submission: ‘Calm’ Eco Image Transfer on Fabriano paper.

The Centenary Open at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery came to an end on Sunday 24th August and I will be collecting my etching print depicting the Produce Hall this coming weekend.

Me next to my etching print of the Produce Hall.

Viaduct print for 20:20

This weekend I have been busy printing my edition of mezzotint prints for the 20:20 Hot Bed Press International Print Exchange 2025.

Printed edition of 25 on Fabriano paper

“Stockport Viaduct” Mezzotint print (10 x 7.5 cm)

Workshop announcement

I will be hosting a 2 hour Eco Image Transfer workshop on Sunday 17th August between 1pm to 3pm at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.

Participants will learn how to create rich layered collages that blend hand drawn and photographic elements, all while using environmentally friendly materials. Perfect for creatives looking to add a vintage, grainy or zine-inspired aesthetic to their work.

To book a free place, please contact the Art Gallery on 0161 474 4453 or email: [email protected]

Centenary Open Exhibition

I visited the Centenary Open Exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery this afternoon with a friend to see my etching print depicting the Produce Hall. In this fantastic exhibition.

The exhibition is worth a visit if you’re in Stockport or nearby.

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/exhibitions-stockport-art-gallery

@stockportinprint