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.

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.

Intaglio Printmaking Workshop: Coming Soon

COMING SOON: Intaglio Printmaking Workshop hosted by Alan Birch.

Sunday 10th August 2025.

Mezzotint print

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.

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!

Home Printmaking

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.

Debenhams chine collé print

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.

Debenhams store

Started a new print yesterday, which is a drypoint of the now closed Debenhams store.

Continued working on my etching of the Robinsons brewery and created 5 prints on Fabriano paper.

Review of 2023 in pictures

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

My main highlights from this year was having work accepted into The Real Public Art Show (Stockport Open), the first Bury Open exhibition and the 102nd Stockport Art Guild exhibition.

2024 marks 10 years since I started this printmaking project / blog, and in that time I have created a catalogue of printmaking which I am going to present in a future exhibition. The project is not over yet, as I will be producing some new artworks in the coming months. Watch this space 👀

By the way have a happy and relaxing Christmas and here’s to 2024 and more creativity. Cheers 🥳🎄☃️🎇🎁

Edgeley Park

I have produced a new larger drypoint print of Stockport County Football Club Edgeley Park stadium. For some of my prints I have used the chine-collé technique by adding glued coloured tissue paper to parts of the print before printing.

Size A4 (297 x 210mm)

Printed on Fabriano Rosapina 220g paper from Intaglio Printmaker, London.

Football stadium print

Just before the new year, I created a new dry point print which depicts the football ground at S.C.F.C. I used a thin sheet of transparent plastic and etched the image onto the plastic using a sharp etching tool. This type of printing plate is useful if you need to copy a photograph or drawing as you can place a copy of the image underneath the plate. Be sure to reverse the photograph or drawing (use a photo editing software product like Photoshop Elements for example) so that if there is any text in the image it is printed the right way around.

Drypoint of Stockport County Football Club