The small print(s)

Finally, I got round to finishing my series of 4 lino prints (all 150 of them, in total), and I have the arm muscles to prove it, since I had to use the wooden spoon method.  One day, I would love to own a printing press, but for now the spoon prevails. All those years lifting weights and toddlers have not been wasted. 

Post edit: There was another one in this series of a mermaid, but I've since got rid of it. I knew in my spirit that there was something about it not quite right, and it had to go. 

I even have 5 finished collagraph plates, lying waiting patiently in a drawer, some of them from 2 years ago or more.   In vain, I have tried to print them successfully without a press....but the intaglio method, it seems, requires an etching press. So, if any of you are in the know, please do leave a comment. I have looked endlessly on Google and priced around, but it is a big investment, so I want to make it wisely and I will see how these relief prints go first.  

These have all been made using, I think they call it, softcut, from again, I think, Lawrence Art Supplies, or maybe it was Jackson`s.  This close to my solo show, which opens on Saturday and the kids all off school for what seems is going to be a very wet Easter, have turned my brain to mush. 

Here`s the link by the way, to my solo show: http://www.gallery1608.co.uk/gallery/?aid=229 

The paper is BFK Rives, which I love, but I am going to try some Somerset more, too... and the inks are either Caligo Safe Wash or Lawrence`s own, but both are oil-based, which I have to say I prefer to water based, even if clean-up is a tad messier.  I am not a seasoned relief printmaker, by any means, but I really like Lawrence`s oil-based inks, a bit cheaper than other perhaps more well known brands, but every bit as good in my humble opinion. Maybe one of them will read this blog and send me a free sample pack of inks.......or maybe not.......

Here is the motley crew....

Like a Fish out of Water
  Hand-pulled lino print
Greyblue oil-based ink on BFK Rives printmaking paper
(also available in black)
Edition of 30

Pocahontas
Hand-pulled lino print
Red oil-based ink on BFK Rives printmaking paper
(also available in black, Indian red and greyblue)
Edition of 40

Slowcoach
Hand-pulled lino print
Black oil-based ink on BFK Rives printmaking paper
(also available in red, Indian red and greyblue)
Edition of 40

The Gossip
Hand-pulled lino print
Indian Red oil based-ink on BFK Rives printmaking paper

(also available in black, red and greyblue)
Edition of 40

Once we get the show on the road, I will be taking a few days break from the old easel/art table, and then it will be back to the grind, finishing off paintings for other exhibitions, etc, and I  will be putting these lino prints on what will hopefully be my new Etsy shop. So stay tuned! I think I have now got the printmaking bug, so I will definitely be trying to fit in more around my paintings, and hopefully the 2 will "feed off" each other.  Now, I need a cup of mint tea........... Bon soir! xx