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’ve been recently working on a small edition of ten prints for the International Print Exchange.
My etching aquatint print for this year’s exchange depicts the Avro Vulcan nuclear bomber which was assembled in Stockport and in service during the Cold War. I posted the edition this afternoon by special delivery as there’s a bank holiday this weekend so I didn’t want to miss the deadline.
Fingers crossed 🤞
Here is a small etching aquatint depicting the Avro Vulcan flying in a tropical setting. The Vulcan bomber was assembled in Stockport at Woodford and used as a nuclear deterrent during the Cold War.
I am eventually going to produce an edition of 10 prints from the zinc etched plate I created on Saturday.
The size of the print is 10 x 10 cm and is printed on Fabriano paper which makes the print slightly lighter than if printed on ‘bread and butter’ proofing paper.
Here’s a gallery of prints and images from this year.
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.
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
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
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.
I also heard that there is to be a new exhibition planned for the autumn organised by Stockport Art Guild in Didsbury.
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.
I’ve also started work on a new etching which depicts the Pear Mill tower. I have created an initial line etching.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By the way, here’s wishing all my followers a Happy and creative New Year!
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 😀
Stockport In Print 
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