A blog about Stockport landmarks by artist/printmaker Neil Robinson which follows a printmaking project depicting the diverse architectural styles of my hometown both new and old.
Author: stockportinprint
I specialize in printmaking especially etching aquatint and my other passion is painting seascapes and landscapes in acrylics. I am also interested in photography and experimenting with digital art.
As a starting point, I use a mixture of sketches and photography to create prints and paintings. The artwork and design featured on this web site originates from my school, college and university days and also more recent work that I have created from regular printmaking workshops and art holidays.
I regularly exhibit my art in the annual Stockport Art Guild exhibition of which I am a member.
Last weekend, I was working on my etching print of the tower at Pear Mill. The roof of the tower at Pear Mill is in the shape of a pear. I like the shape of the tower and all the patterns in the brick work. I will continue to work on the print a bit more next month.
I visited my local library the other day and discovered an interesting book written by Steve Cliffe about Stockport
“Stockport History and Guide by Steve Cliffe
The book is a fascinating read and charts the early settlement of was known as ‘Stokeport’ around 1066 up to present day.
Recently I submitted one of my etching aquatints in the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Centenary Open Exhibition 2025. I chose the print I created of the Produce Hall.
“Produce Hall” Etching Aquatint
I also heard that there is to be a new exhibition planned for the autumn organised by Stockport Art Guild in Didsbury.
Earlier this month, I visited PrintFest in Ulverston. Founded in 2001, the festival brings together top artists/printmakers from around the United Kingdom who showcase and sell their contemporary prints at Coronation Hall (‘The Coro’). Printmakers also share their practices and learn from each other.
I purchased a large etching print while I was there as an early birthday present for my mum.
PrintFest at Coronation Hall, Ulverston
While at the event, I met up with my artist friend Pete Marsh who was one of the artists exhibiting.
The festival provides visitors the chance to chat with the artists and to attend workshops to learn about the art of printmaking.
A week later, I meet up with Pete at his new artist studio at the Falcon Mill Artist Studios and Gallery (FaMAS) open studios event in Bolton. Pete initially setup the FaMAS studios in 2011. The artist studios have increased in numbers since I last visited. There are now 40 studios at the mill.
I purchase one of Pete’s etchings of a horse rider while I was at the open studio event.
Falcon Mill, Bolton
The following weekend, I along with a group of friends visited the Portland Basin museum in Ashton-Under-Lyne. I spotted a Letter press machine in one of the shop recreations inside the museum.
Letterpress at Portland Basin Museum
The museum on two floors and is a fascinating and well laid out space. The museum backs onto the Ashton canal and there is a chance to go on a short canal trip.
Me at Ashton canal
A few weeks ago, I met with a member of staff from Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery who gave me information on the upcoming Centenary Open Exhibition to be held at the gallery next month in celebration of the war memorial art galleries 100 years. I decided to visit my favourite picture framer to get some of my prints ready for future exhibitions. According to the rules, you can only submit one artwork.
Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
Last week, the walking group that I am a member of organised an evening walk of 4 miles around Vernon Park and Woodbank Park.
Vernon Park at sunset
The walk has given me inspiration to produce a series of Eco Image Transfer prints based on these two local parks. Here is a selection of my prints below.
In a few months, I plan to host another Eco Image Transfer workshop at Stockport Art Gallery similar to the recent Art for All Day.
As part of my study of Woodbank Hall, I made a sketch of the buildings exterior.
The month of March has been a busy month for me print wise.
Last month, I was given the opportunity to host a small number of Eco Image Transfer Workshops as part of the Art For All Day event organised by Stockport Art Guild.
The print workshops were in three one hour slots and I demonstrated the simple technique of transferring a laser printed image onto paper, card and wood using a eco cleaning product.
The free workshop offered local residents interested in art, but perhaps with limited experience or opportunities, the chance to engage in a range of practical art activities guided by Stockport Art Guild members.
Check out my article about Eco Image Transfer here.
A few weeks ago, I visited the London Original Print Fair at Somerset House for the day and enjoyed the artwork on show by famous and not so famous artists.
A lot of inspirational prints on show. My favourite artist is Peter Blake.
Last weekend, I continued working on my Mezzotint print of the Viaduct. The print will be used for my entry in this year’s Twenty/Twenty Hotbed Press international print exchange.
“Viaduct”
I’ve also started work on a new etching which depicts the Pear Mill tower. I have created an initial line etching.
“Pear mill”
I am currently working on a new series of Eco Image Transfer prints focusing on Woodbank Park, the former Boars Head pub and the Bakers Vaults pub. More to follow in my next blog post.
February has been a busy time for me so far. I have been volunteering on setting up the 103rd Stockport Art Guild exhibition, compiling the catalogue, updating the website and creating labels for the artwork.
To my surprise, I was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership of Stockport Art Guild at this year’s annual exhibition. I was very happy and a bit overwhelmed to receive the award which is for my outstanding contribution to the success of the Art Guild over the last 20 years in particular developing the website and social media channels. I am really chuffed. 😀
Stockport Art Guild 103rd Exhibition flyer
Last Saturday, I visited the city of Chester to attend preview of The Grosvenor Museum’s 15th Open Art Exhibition. The exhibition is held in one room as you enter the museum and go up some stairs, the gallery is to the right past the reception area. The preview was very busy with lots of artists in attendance with their guests.
I have two of my etchings in the exhibition from the printmaking project. The first is a burnished etching of Robinsons Brewery, the second etching depicts The Blossoms pub.
My prints on displayMe in front of my printsThe Grosvenor Museum’s 15th Open Art Exhibition.
The open arts exhibition is on until Sunday 31st August 2025, so there’s plenty of time for a visit. I will definitely be re-visiting the museum which houses a collection of Roman artefacts.
In March, I will be running some free printmaking workshops for the Stockport ArtGuild’s ‘Art For All Day’ event which is on Sunday 16th March.
The event offers Stockport residents interested in art but with limited art experience the opportunity to engage in a range of practical art activities and to experience a variety of creative practice.
Activities include; figure and portrait drawing, clay modelling, printmaking and colourful painting, as well as a how-to-improve-your-drawing workshop.
I delivered two of my etching prints earlier today to go on display at the Grosvenor Museum in Chester early next month for the 15th Open Art exhibition. I’m looking forward to attending the preview on Saturday 8th February.
On a very cold Saturday morning, I drove down to Green Door Printmaking Studio in Derby to attend a half day Eco Image Transfer Taster workshop.
I used my sketchbook to transfer prints
The process to create the eco image transfer prints is pretty straightforward to achieve.
The method consists of using concentrated Citra Solv natural cleaner degreaser which you can buy online and mono laser printed designs preferably printed on off-white recycled office paper.
Citrasolv (236ml)
The basic process is to place the laser print face down on the paper or wood of choice. You then fix the laser print into position with masking tape. I then applied to the back of the laser print the Citra Solv solution with a medium sized brush. I then rubbed the back of the laser print with a soft HB pencil with firm pressure. This results in the image on the laser print transferring to the chosen print material such as cartridge paper Fabriano paper or bamboo.
You can let your imagination run wild and come up with surreal and original images.
I used a series of copyright free image supplied at the workshop and combined them together to create new compositions.
You can prepare a design in advance using photo editing software and then print out copies to use to print editions.
Note: Text will needto be reversed on the laser print before you transfer the image.
Below is a gallery of prints I created on the day.
I started work on a small mezzotint print on Friday. I am using a gelli print of the viaduct as my inspiration. My first test print shows a faint outline of the viaduct. I am using a pre-rocked copper plate about 10 x 7.5 cms.
Mezzotint plate and etching tools
I initially used a mezzotint etching tools to etch the plate which looks a bit like a fountain pen. The end of the tool is a diamond shape and allows for precise mark making. I then used an etching tool and scraper.
Mezzotint: First test print on proofing paper
I completed my etching of the Produce Hall yesterday and did some burnishing of the plate to highlight the path in the foreground. I also did some dry point on some of the features of the building.
Produce Hall, etching aquatint on Fabriano paper
By the way, here’s wishing all my followers a Happy and creative New Year!
Stockport In Print 
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