I had heard so much about West Dean and seized the chance to go there. The course, with Dale Devereux Barker, was brilliant. We started by using resists and stencils on the lino, which was first inked up, and then printed using a press. My favourite effect was obtained by removing the resist or stencil and then printing a second time, so as to get a much more ethereal effect.
More experiments in collagraphy
This week I spent a couple of days making some new plates and then printing from them. The first one I think works well and I really like it. I used thin cardboard for the wall stones with some sand for texture in some of the spaces. The rest is bits of linen and jute scrim, with acrylic gloss medium.
Collagraphy
Earlier this month I went to France to do a week’s course on collagraphy with Val Holmes. Collagraphy is a form of printing whereby, instead of etching into the plate, you build up the surface, so as to produce both intaglio and relief forms. Val has just published her book on the subject ‘Collage, Stitch, Print’.