A level talent impresses at GPC

My talented A level students from Katharine Lady Berkeley's School have been invited to show at the Gloucestershire Printmaking Co-operative studios in the Printmakers Gallery

The prints shown in this exhibition have been selected from students who are studying 

Fine Art, Graphic Communication or Photography at AS and A level. 

Print is introduced to the students as a creative and flexible tool 

allowing them to explore and develop imagery. 

 Printmakers of the future

up the steps to the Printmakers Gallery at Griffin Mill, Stroud

Cornish sketching days

I've posted my favourite sketches from this year's Cornish break on the 'Sketchbook - Coast' page.
I challenged myself to capture skies this year: the threatening skies at Polkerris provided ample inspiration.

There's always one which is drawn very quickly and which sums up the weather conditions or other prevailing conditions. This year's quick sketch was done at Watergate Bay in a high wind with the tide racing in!

I hope you enjoy this year's offerings.

Cornish sketching

Easter holidays always gives me some good sketching time on the coast

It looks like beautiful weather

the cold winds didn't bother the dog

and with hats, gloves and windproof jackets

quite a bit of drawing got done. Happy days.

Good Friday sketching

Good Friday was, as it turned out, extremely good this year. The sun and welcoming calmness of a still day made it feel like spring 'proper'.

Good to get out drawing again...

New views...

and promising landscapes, a bit of blue sky makes all the difference.

Drawn to print

Over the last month or so I have had the enormous pleasure of curating 'Drawn to print' at the Printmakers Gallery, Griffin Mill, Stroud. This light and airy gallery is a small but lovely space housed on the premises of Gloucestershire Printmaking Co-operative

While we were hanging we were sustained by coffee and cake. Many thanks to Lucy Guenot for all her hard work and brilliant support.

We had beautiful, excellent quality work to hang; the printmaking community are a very generous group of lovely people.

Large scale etchings from Ros Ford RWA and Ian Chamberlain ARE

Etching and sketchbook by Jason Hicklin RE

Dramatic print by Emma Stibbon RA

Andy Lovell's gorgeous sketchbook

Smaller works by Jane Walker, Meg Buick ARE, Catherine Greenwood and Terence Millington

...and my contribution

The exhibition aims to show how drawing supports printmaking. Its been fascinating to see  such diverse approaches to drawing - glimpses inside the artists thinking.

'Drawn to print' is open until 30th March, open Mon, Tues and Thurs mornings and all day Saturday.

Printmaking Today

This is something new that has shown me just what you can do when you put your mind to it... I'm delighted to have an article published in the printmakers magazine 'Printmaking Today'

The article links into my research work and is all about Jason Hicklin; a fabulous landscape artist whose passion is for etching.

Jason Hicklin's etching studio

 I was able to visit Jason at his studio; it was a privilege to be able to discuss his working methods with him and to gain something of an insight into his practice.

Jason Hicklin - Castle Skerry from Burwick

Jason works entirely from sketches made on his walking trips to remote corners and outposts of the British Isles. These drawings ensure that his etchings have an immediacy which captures the atmosphere of each place he visits.

Jason Hicklin - Old Man of Hoy

I am very grateful to both Jason Hicklin and to Printmaking Today for this fascinating and rewarding opportunity.

IMPRESSIVE INSIGHT

Insight Printmakers at the cosy and welcoming Wotton Gallery this wekend until 22nd March.

We're having a launch event on Saturday 1 - 4pm, you'll be very welcome!

The gallery has been hung very beautifully by gallery staff  Belinda and Cate, a huge thank you to them for their talented support.