Hello,
I finally got around to finishing up this month's (cough, last month's) art work for Art Club which was, 'Repetition'.
I was back in Scotland in July last year and came across a curious little book all about traditional knitting patterns, see here. In the book were some pretty groovy looking guys that were modelling the jumpers. I loved their cool haircuts and the facial hair combos, as well as the beautiful patterns of the jumpers. I took some photos of the book during my visit for use at a later date, and ta-dah, I found a use!
I started this project way before Christmas by doing some ink drawings using brushes, and being quite free. I loved the marks made with the ink and the quality of the line. After playing around with a few different faces, I settled on this fella to make into a lino print. I originally began drawing his face onto the lino via the tracing paper method (in reverse etc), but soon realised that the lovely quality of the ink was lost. I then had a brainwave - why didn't I just draw with ink directly onto the lino surface! I wasn't sure if it would dry and not smudge, but it worked beautifully. It was such an obvious technique that I was annoyed for not having thought of this much, much sooner! I think I have found something that will really work for me. I love both drawing and printmaking, but so often feel that the 'stiffness' of lino can work at odds with the drawings. If I were really clever, I could carve into the lino without drawing any lines on there directly, but I am simply not brave enough and I also know that I distracted very easily! Alas, I found something exciting! I also like the idea of taking blocks of lino out and about on drawing excursions then carving back at home.
I started this project way before Christmas by doing some ink drawings using brushes, and being quite free. I loved the marks made with the ink and the quality of the line. After playing around with a few different faces, I settled on this fella to make into a lino print. I originally began drawing his face onto the lino via the tracing paper method (in reverse etc), but soon realised that the lovely quality of the ink was lost. I then had a brainwave - why didn't I just draw with ink directly onto the lino surface! I wasn't sure if it would dry and not smudge, but it worked beautifully. It was such an obvious technique that I was annoyed for not having thought of this much, much sooner! I think I have found something that will really work for me. I love both drawing and printmaking, but so often feel that the 'stiffness' of lino can work at odds with the drawings. If I were really clever, I could carve into the lino without drawing any lines on there directly, but I am simply not brave enough and I also know that I distracted very easily! Alas, I found something exciting! I also like the idea of taking blocks of lino out and about on drawing excursions then carving back at home.
'Repetition' can describe the repetition of the patterns on the jumpers, or the very repetitive act of lino carving and printing.
I am pretty happy with this chap and plan to do some more lino cuts based on other ink drawings that I made. I like the idea of having a series of these beardie men in cool jumpers!
I hope you like it!
I am pretty happy with this chap and plan to do some more lino cuts based on other ink drawings that I made. I like the idea of having a series of these beardie men in cool jumpers!
I hope you like it!
Printing...
Lino detail...
I made a few drawings using black ink....
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The original ink drawing of the one I took into lino...
Original source photographs from the book (with Gracie hovering around)...
