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.
I am currently working on a print depicting the Produce Hall which is located in the marketplace in Stockport. I will continue with my work on the print after Christmas.
I recently had some good news. Two of my Stockport series of prints have been accepted into the Grosvenor Museum’s 15th Open Art Exhibition in the new year. Feeling chuffed 😀
As October draws to an end and the nights are getting shorter, I am writing this latest article on Halloween. Over the last few weeks, I have been busy documenting the last batch of print subjects of Stockport landmarks I need to complete the project. I’ve got a decent selection of images to use for future prints.
A few weeks ago, I attended a drawing and printmaking workshop in Stockport organised by Stockport Art Guild entitled ‘Graphic interpretation of Stockport landmarks combined with print’. The workshop was organised by the owner of the Art Club in Heaton Moor by former textiles designer Angela Lock.
I decided to create an artwork depicting the Plaza with a starry sky. The process involved creating landmarks drawn on cartridge paper in a simplistic monochromatic style. Once the drawing had been made, a larger piece of paper was then printed on using polystyrene thin sheets backed with card using water based ink. One of the printing blocks I used had a start pattern which I felt was a suitable background for the artwork.
After the event, I decided to donate my contribution to the gallery for all to see.
The finished results are shown in the photo below.
One final note, congratulations to Prospect Studios which celebrated its 20th Anniversary last weekend.
Yesterday, I began work on a brand new etching for the project. My subject this time is the Produce Hall at the Marketplace. More on this print next month.
Last week, I received a lovely surprise in the post from Green Door Studios. An edition of 10 unique prints from around the world such as Japan, Australia and closer to home. I entered the International Print Exchange #16 with a dry point I’d printed on my home press last month (see last month’s blog post).
On Saturday evening, I was invited with my mum to the ‘Portrait of Stockport’ exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery by artist Helen Clapcott.
The exhibition shows Helen’s paintings that depict post industrial landscapes of the town of Stockport in a dream like Lowryesque quality. I was impressed by the detail in the work which were painted in egg tempera. The work covers a long period and show the town has changed over the years with the loss of mill buildings that were in abundance in the not too distant past.
I enjoyed the exhibition and loved the paintings and seeing familiar landscapes and buildings and the humour in the work.
I have been busy this bank holiday weekend working on a new set of dry point prints using my FOME intaglio portable printing press. The results look really good. I’ve adapted my press and arranged to have two sheets of plywood cut to set sizes. One piece of ply replaces the zinc plate and allows the rollers to grip better when running the press. The lower roller on the press has a cross hatch pattern which acts like teeth and grips the wood and prevents both rollers from slipping while in operation. The larger piece of plywood is used to anchor the press onto the bench by means of a large metal clamp and two metal brackets fixed to one side of the press. The press is positioned near the edge of the bench to allow plenty of space for the press handle to be operated by means. The setup works very well with no movement once the press is in motion.
The photos show my home printing setup which consists of the water tray to soak the paper, an area to act as a blotter to dry the paper of excess water. An inking area which is on a large clear piece of plastic Perspex, the press setup and finally a place to store the finished prints.
Drypoint prints.
I am thrilled to have my etching prints published in a book which celebrated the Derby Print Open 2024 exhibition which was held last month.
I managed to visited the Derby Print Open exhibition recently to view the amazing printmaking at various venues around the city of Derby on a warm and sunny afternoon.
While visiting the exhibition, I spotted one of my etching prints at the nearby Dubrek music recording studios next door to Green Door Printmaking Studios.
It was great seeing my own artwork in the exhibition and I also purchased a high quality exhibition catalogue which featured all the prints in the show. The exhibition has closed today and I will be returning to collect my prints in the coming weeks and also visit some of the museums in Derby town centre such as the Museum of Making.
Bye for now.
Earlier this month, I visited the newly opened bus interchange in the heart of the town. The bus interchange can be accessed on foot from the main A6 and also a new pathway and bridge not far from the railway station.
There’s an oval roof top wall walk way with a tree lined garden and observation deck overlooking the Mersey.
My first impressions of the bus station were good and I liked the roof top garden which is called ‘Viaduct Park’.
Following on from the bus station, I arrived at the newly refurnished Hatworks museum to host a meetup event with my local history meetup group call ‘History Get Together’.
The museum explores the international connection with the hat industry. We were lucky to have a tour of the museum and witness the hat making machinery in motion. There’s a gallery of hats on the second floor.
From the 1st to 30th June, the Derby Print Open 2024 will be displaying artwork by printmakers from around the UK. The exhibition organised by Green Door Printmaking Studios is dedicated to original hand pulled prints and I am thrilled to have 3 of my etching prints in this year’s exhibition.
The exhibition is like an art trail with a small number of local venues which are all nearby one another around the town of Derby.
A few weeks ago, I attended an experimental 1-day screen printing workshop organised by Green Door Printmaking Studios.
I decided to use a subject from my printmaking project which I had covered previously as a drypoint. I decided to use a photo of St Thomas’s hospital buildings as the basis of my screen print. The idea was to combined a photographic image, a loose outline sketch of the building, an old map of the town some background sky. I combined these elements to form a colourful illustrative set of unique prints.
The results were impressive and I intend to do more prints in this way.
Next month: Mezzotint printmaking.
I’ve been busy this month travelling to two different workshops creating new prints.
At the moment, I am working on a reduction lino cut which I started last month which depicts the former Stockport college buildings which are currently being demolished to make way for a new development of housing, a civic building and green spaces.
I visited the college site on Sunday afternoon and saw the aftermath of the first stage of the demolition. I believe the Greek Street building (second photo) is being saved and will be a hub for local businesses.
A few weeks ago, I attended a Japanese woodcut workshop at Green Door printmaking studios in Derby.
The 1-day workshop covered the process of taking a sketch or photo and producing a block print from a small sheet of bamboo.
I’ve not covered woodcut printing before so was surprised by the results. To prep the wood printing block, you first sand the surface of the wood with wet and dry and then paint the wood with blue watered-down acrylic paint.
A piece of yellow carbon paper was place on top of the wood block and you trace your pencil drawing on top of that to leave an impression on the surface of the wood to allow you to carve your image. With special woodcutting tools, you then cut using a blade cutter to cut across the grain where needed and then use one of the wide cutting tools to remove the areas of wood block you want staying light.
The wood block is then inked with oil based ink. Sumi paper is used as it’s thin and suitable for woodcut printing.
To transfer the image to paper, you can use either a barren, spoon or the side of your hands to apply pressure. I used a combination of these tools. I also used a book press which did an excellent job. I will definitely have to explore woodcut again. My inspiration for today’s print was the much missed Sycamore Gap.
Shopping List: Lino cutting tools
https://www.lawrence.co.uk/pfeil-lino-tool.html
Future plans for prints and history walks
I plan to enter my work in the Derby Open 2024. I’m also planning another photo walk around town which will probably be north of the Mersey.
Further details will be published in the coming months.
Chine collé is a printmaking method where thin paper is glued onto a thicker paper before printing. This creates a layered effect in the final print.
I use a starch glue called Yamato Nori Starch Paste which you can buy online in 220g green tubes. I would definitely recommend this glue as it transparent and is less messy than PVA.
I also started work on a brand new print this weekend which going to be a Lino print of the former Stockport College building.
Stockport In Print 
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