PrintFest visit

Earlier this month, I visited PrintFest in Ulverston. Founded in 2001, the festival brings together top artists/printmakers from around the United Kingdom who showcase and sell their contemporary prints at Coronation Hall (‘The Coro’). Printmakers also share their practices and learn from each other.

I purchased a large etching print while I was there as an early birthday present for my mum.

While at the event, I met up with my artist friend Pete Marsh who was one of the artists exhibiting.

The festival provides visitors the chance to chat with the artists and to attend workshops to learn about the art of printmaking.

A week later, I meet up with Pete at his new artist studio at the Falcon Mill Artist Studios and Gallery (FaMAS) open studios event in Bolton. Pete initially setup the FaMAS studios in 2011. The artist studios have increased in numbers since I last visited. There are now 40 studios at the mill.

I purchase one of Pete’s etchings of a horse rider while I was at the open studio event.

The following weekend, I along with a group of friends visited the Portland Basin museum in Ashton-Under-Lyne. I spotted a Letter press machine in one of the shop recreations inside the museum.

The museum on two floors and is a fascinating and well laid out space. The museum backs onto the Ashton canal and there is a chance to go on a short canal trip.

A few weeks ago, I met with a member of staff from Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery who gave me information on the upcoming Centenary Open Exhibition to be held at the gallery next month in celebration of the war memorial art galleries 100 years. I decided to visit my favourite picture framer to get some of my prints ready for future exhibitions. According to the rules, you can only submit one artwork.

Last week, the walking group that I am a member of organised an evening walk of 4 miles around Vernon Park and Woodbank Park.

The walk has given me inspiration to produce a series of Eco Image Transfer prints based on these two local parks. Here is a selection of my prints below.

In a few months, I plan to host another Eco Image Transfer workshop at Stockport Art Gallery similar to the recent Art for All Day.

As part of my study of Woodbank Hall, I made a sketch of the buildings exterior.

I hope to combining my sketch with Eco Image Transfer technique.

I recently purchased an a4 Pooki relief press which I will be using at home to produce new Lino prints.

As another month closes, I look forward to the next few months and more printmaking in the works and maybe another photo walk around town perhaps.

Cheers for now.

Intaglio Printmaking Workshop: Coming Soon

COMING SOON: Intaglio Printmaking Workshop hosted by Alan Birch.

Sunday 10th August 2025.

March update

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.

Exhibition Time

February has been a busy time for me so far. I have been volunteering on setting up the 103rd Stockport Art Guild exhibition, compiling the catalogue, updating the website and creating labels for the artwork.

To my surprise, I was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership of Stockport Art Guild at this year’s annual exhibition. I was very happy and a bit overwhelmed to receive the award which is for my outstanding contribution to the success of the Art Guild over the last 20 years in particular developing the website and social media channels. I am really chuffed. 😀

Stockport Art Guild 103rd Exhibition flyer

Last Saturday, I visited the city of Chester to attend preview of The Grosvenor Museum’s 15th Open Art Exhibition. The exhibition is held in one room as you enter the museum and go up some stairs, the gallery is to the right past the reception area. The preview was very busy with lots of artists in attendance with their guests.

I have two of my etchings in the exhibition from the printmaking project. The first is a burnished etching of Robinsons Brewery, the second etching depicts The Blossoms pub.

The open arts exhibition is on until Sunday 31st August 2025, so there’s plenty of time for a visit. I will definitely be re-visiting the museum which houses a collection of Roman artefacts.

In March, I will be running some free printmaking workshops for the Stockport Art Guild’s ‘Art For All Day’ event which is on Sunday 16th March.

The event offers Stockport residents interested in art but with limited art experience the opportunity to engage in a range of practical art activities and to experience a variety of creative practice.

Activities include; figure and portrait drawing, clay modelling, printmaking and colourful painting, as well as a how-to-improve-your-drawing workshop.

Eco Image Transfer prints

On a very cold Saturday morning, I drove down to Green Door Printmaking Studio in Derby to attend a half day Eco Image Transfer Taster workshop.

The process to create the eco image transfer prints is pretty straightforward to achieve.

The method consists of using concentrated Citra Solv natural cleaner degreaser which you can buy online and mono laser printed designs preferably printed on off-white recycled office paper.

Citra Solv cleaner degreaser — Citrasolv (236ml)

The basic process is to place the laser print face down on the paper or wood of choice. You then fix the laser print into position with masking tape. I then applied to the back of the laser print the Citra Solv solution with a medium sized brush. I then rubbed the back of the laser print with a soft HB pencil with firm pressure. This results in the image on the laser print transferring to the chosen print material such as cartridge paper Fabriano paper or bamboo.

You can let your imagination run wild and come up with surreal and original images.

I used a series of copyright free image supplied at the workshop and combined them together to create new compositions.

You can prepare a design in advance using photo editing software and then print out copies to use to print editions.

Note: Text will needto be reversed on the laser print before you transfer the image.

Below is a gallery of prints I created on the day.

The Produce Hall print

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 😀

Graphical interpretations

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.

Finished artworks on display at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery

One final note, congratulations to Prospect Studios which celebrated its 20th Anniversary last weekend.

Relief 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.

“Stockport college” (linocut) Test print

Prints on drying rack at Prospect studio

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.

https://www.greendoor-printmaking.co.uk/

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.

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.

Bury Art Museum visit

Recently, I arranged a visit to the Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre with a history meetup group.

After visiting the Fusiliers museum over the road, we made our way to see the Bury Open exhibition which was still showing in the upstairs gallery.

Photo of myself at the Bury Open looking at my Robinsons brewery burnished etching print

The art gallery at Bury has a superb permanent collection of fine art and sculpture such as the painting by JWM Turner entitled “Calais Sands at Low Water, Poissards Collecting Bait”.

*Calais Sands at Low Water, Poissards Collecting Bait by* JWM Turner

I am currently preparing ideas for future prints while I take a short break from the printing. The photo below shows the remaining prints I will be working on in the coming months for this printmaking project.

I have also been updating the website gallery with my latest prints from the last 12 months. There are now two online galleries. You can access them in the menu navigation.

Next month, I will be attending a 1-day Japanese woodcut printmaking workshop. More to follow on this soon…