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.
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.
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.
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.
Stockport In Print 
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