Pear Mill etching
Category: Workshop
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.
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.
Viaduct print for 20:20
This weekend I have been busy printing my edition of mezzotint prints for the 20:20 Hot Bed Press International Print Exchange 2025.
Printed edition of 25 on Fabriano paper
Workshop announcement
I will be hosting a 2 hour Eco Image Transfer workshop on Sunday 17th August between 1pm to 3pm at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.
Participants will learn how to create rich layered collages that blend hand drawn and photographic elements, all while using environmentally friendly materials. Perfect for creatives looking to add a vintage, grainy or zine-inspired aesthetic to their work.
To book a free place, please contact the Art Gallery on 0161 474 4453 or email: [email protected]
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.
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. 😀
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.
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.
Stockport In Print 
You must be logged in to post a comment.