Wood Engraving

I started doing little wood engravings a couple of years ago when I was invited along with a couple of colleagues to visit Linda Farquharson's printmaking studio in rural Perthshire. Linda wanted us to have a look at her space and have a go, she encouraged me to linocut previously, generously giving me lino pieces to cut with and I now wanted to try wood engraving. And who better to teach me!

I cut a small test block, opting to go for a tree, trying out some mark making and depth of lines and getting a feel for the new medium, then printed it onto Japanese paper by hand-burnishing with the back of a spoon. A printmaking method that is so easy to do without the use of a press. Going for a repeat pattern also made it stretch further giving the illusion of a bigger image.

It was a fabulous day, so inspiring and I came home buzzing from it having learnt lots from Linda and her environment. It was amazing seeing inside her studio, her sketches and insights into her work.

I bought a few blocks and found a small wooden spoon not long after but it wasn't until recently I finally got round to purchasing a tool and some ink to continue where I left off. It was great to start carving and printing again but I still need to practice a bit more. A reminder of an inspirational day.

I made a small still-life botanical themed block of simple lines and shapes influenced by works one of my favourite artists, William Scott. I love the shapes of these wee test blocks and try to work out a design to fit in with them.

I added watercolour detail and made it into a card. I hope to make more in the coming months, watch this space. Maybe one day I will progress to something bigger but for now these are just fine!