Category: Etching Aquatint

Preparing for an exhibition

Since my last post, I have been on a much needed break from my printmaking. Yesterday, I started a new drypoint print which I hope to combine with a chine collé technique (which uses different colours of tissue paper overlaid on the print during printing). The new drypoint depicts the Masonic Guildhall which is located opposite the college. I used a photograph as a reference. I managed to get a proof done and hope to complete the print soon.

Stockport Masonic Guildhall drypoint

I am hoping to enter two of my prints in this year’s Stockport Open Exhibition which is returning to the art gallery in Stockport.

The exhibition is on from 22nd July to 23rd September.

I also printed a couple of prints from the Stopford House etching I did a few months back. I hope to enter this into the open exhibition.

Stopford House etching aquatint

White Lion pub etching

Yesterday, I continued my work on the etching depicting the White Lion public house, which is now private flats in the centre of town.

White Lion pub

There is still some adjustments to make on this etching. I have recently purchased a couple of blue permanent markers which I use to stop out areas on the plate. I tend to use a medium size marker but also have a small marker for finer details.

Printing plate and print compared

Visit to Bury Art Museum and new etching

Last Saturday at the printmaking workshop, I started a new etching plate which is the first for 2022. The new plate once completed will depict the White Lion public house which has now been turned into swanky apartments in the centre of town. The plate is slightly larger than the normal 18 x 12 cms I usually create etching prints from. I have gone for a larger printing plate so I can add more detail. Below is a photo of the plate which has a coating of hard wax to protect the plate when it has its first dip in the acid bath early next month. The first acid bath lasts about 15 minutes which allows the outline of the drawing to be defined more strongly on the plate.

White Lion etching plate (17 x 26.5 cms)

Yesterday, I visited Bury Art Museum to swap a small number of etchings for the shop that is based on the first floor. One of the prints I submitted was of the cage at Lyme Park.

“The Cage at Lyme Park” Etching Aquatint (c) Neil Robinson

The museum has a collection of paintings by JMW Turner. One of which is this work I saw in the main gallery (see below)

Calais Sands at Low Water: Poissards Collecting Bait by Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (Bury Art Museum collection)

Pyramid print

‘The Pyramid’

This is an etching aquatint print I created early on in the project which I seem to have not shared before in this blog.

I used a combination of printing inks with black ink printed first, then leaving the remaining black ink on the plate, I then inked up blue ink and printed again to get the desired effect of deep dark shadows and lines with the black ink and light highlighted areas with blue ink.

Virtual art gallery tour

I recently received a link to a virtual tour of the Impressions: a response to Towneley exhibition which is currently closed due to the UK national lockdown. Two of my prints, one depicting one of my Stockport related etching prints is currently in the show.

Source: Towneley Hall, Burnley Lancashire.

Link here to virtual tour: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=3E21TgaRyCY&back=1&fbclid=IwAR26WcmIhVYVeVy4UMh24HEQ_eAexRaY3UrEOKsTyPRqhJb2dW7N6AIMqUM