Spring Photowalk

Early on Thursday evening after work, I caught a 192 bus for a photo walk of approximately 1.5 miles from the start of Higher Hillgate to The Blossoms pub on London Road (A6).

My first notable place to visit was behind the back of the Strawberry Studios to view a plaque.

The Stockport Heritage Trust plaque read:

“Home to the band 10cc and used by many to create memorable music, including Joy Division, Paul McCarthey, Martin Hannett, Neil Sedaka, The Stone Roses, The Smiths and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra.”

Stockport Heritage Trust plaque at Strawberry Recording Studios

Along Hopes Carr past the Stockport Air Disaster Memorial, I spotted a cute piece of tile art.

Opposite is a large mural located on Hopes Carr and some collage street graffiti art

More colourful street art, this time on Canal Street opposite Hopes Carr.

I walked towards Crowther Street just as the sun was starting to go down. The street has been depicted by many artists, most famously by L.S. Lowry.

A information board is displayed at the top of Crowther Street which mentions the former long gone Crowther Street Mill and Workers Housing.

Covent Garden Cafe is on the other side of Crowther Street making my way back to Higher Hillgate.

The cafe was recently featured in a TV series called ‘Small Prophets’.

In the tv series you can just make out the abandoned metal structure in the background.

If you look carefully, you will see a fainted mural behind the structure.

Site of Tabernacle Club, plaque.

Plaque remembers ‘The Fab Tab’ music venue where the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Small Faces performed.

Located on Black Lion Passage.

Walking towards London Road, on the left is Oldknow’s House, Hatters Court. Home to cotton mill industrialist Samuel Oldknow.

The blue plaque reads:

“Built around 1740.

Samuel Oldknow, pioneer Stockport cotton industrialist lived in this house 1784-94.

Also the home of William Radcliffe who in 1802 invented the ‘dandyloom’”

Other buildings of interests are;

The Salvation Army building.

Royal Oak Brewery sign.

Street art on Virginia Mills building, Higher Hillgate.

After my short photo walk, I made my way crossing London Road towards The Blossoms, which is a Robinsons brewery public house to get some much needed refreshment.

The pub is cosy inside and has ornate stained glass windows. I sat in the Pool room and then was persuaded by the landlord to participate in a game of pool!

Cheers 🍻

St George’s church Mono prints

This weekend I have been working on some mono prints using St. George’s church as inspiration. I lightly soaked some cartridge paper in water and used oil based ink. Using cotton buds, ink dabber and a cloth to wipe away sections I wanted to be light. I then passed the inked acrylic plate through the press.

The third mono print was created by placing a photograph under the acrylic plate as a guide to map out the shape of the church using masking tape.

Print no.3. Mono print using a photograph as tracing

Eco Image Transfer mini prints

I’ve been working on a small series of Eco Image Transfer prints recently using Fabriano printing paper. I am using black & white and colour laser prints.

The size of the prints are roughly smaller than A6 (10.5 x 14.85 cm). One of my prints was experimental and consisted of trying to combine eco image technique and linocut. The layer of Lino print didn’t really allow the toner from the transfer to adhere to the paper and caused the transfer to apply a blotted effect. The toner has tried to absorb into the paper but the oil based ink seems to have blocked the print from fixing. I found smaller detail like the aeroplane seem to work but the church building was more like a murky blob. Interesting results, may try out a few more.

Eco Image combined with Lino printed background

Below is a gallery of prints I’ve been working on this month.

In summary, I observed that the Eco Image Transfer print method works best for small sized print formats and that black and white toner works best.

Review of 2025 in pictures

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

Boars Head Hotel by Neil Robinson, Drypoint

Vernon Park bandstand by Neil Robinson, Eco Image Transfer

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.

Centenary of the War Memorial Art Gallery

Last month, I was invited to a preview of a new exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to celebrate 100 years of the building.

The building is unique in the UK in that it is a war memorial honouring the fallen from previous world wars and also a public space to display artworks both amateur and professional alike.

During the evening. a number of speeches were given, one was by my artist friend Peter Davis MAFA CBPP who is a former archivist of Stockport Art Guild. Peter spoke about the strong relationship between the Art Gallery and the Art Guild.

Me at the exhibition preview of ‘Beautiful Things’

Incidentally, over 10 years ago, before I began this project, I created an etching print of the war memorial art gallery.

‘Stockport Art Gallery’ (Etching Aquatint)

The current exhibition at the gallery is a celebration of the building’s history and role in the local community.

Local children have contributed a colourful creative display of artwork in the exhibition. There is also a good selection of prints on display including some well known artists such as painter and graphic designer Patrick Caulfield

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.

Centenary Open Exhibition

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

@stockportinprint

Pear Mill print

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

“Stockport History and Guide by Steve Cliffe

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.

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.