Printing up a sprinkle of Folktale Magic…

If only I was magic!

Greetings!

Thanks for taking the time out to see what I’ve been up to…

This past week in the studio, I’ve been printing up a storm (or rather, a nice serene sunrise)…but the etching press has been working overtime!

Folktale Week starts on Monday 18th November - hosted by a group of brilliant artists & illustrators, they give seven prompts to interpret as we wish - and although it’s only my second year of participating, it’s a theme which really grabs my interest - I really love an epic myth, symbolic story or fantastical fairytale. My paintings have more than their fair share of personal mythology, symbolism and story sprinkled in…

Detail of egg tempera painting ‘Yo arthe best’, 2024

But for Folktale Week, I’m approaching it in a different way. A much more convoluted and (well, let’s face it, equally) time consuming way. Because where’s the fun in taking the easy route? Well, the fun is called sleep, relaxation and a social life, but I gave all that up a long time ago…so I’m all in making this week as full on as possible- as I am writing this the night before it launches, and I haven’t got my first image ready yet. Let alone the other six…but I’ve been making the elements…let’s take a walk through the process shall we?

So, my process of image making involves printmaking, painting, collage, photography and a bit of digital drawing. Is there an easier way, I hear you cry! Yes, I shout, then stubbornly carry on. Have I mentioned before that I love doing ALL the things?

Step one: Printmaking

Specifically drypoint on tetrapak cartons. One day, I’ll take you through this process step by step, but for me it’s a perfect method combination detailed drawing, gestural mark making and tonal contrasts.

Most of the week has been drawing up all my elements and cutting them all out…all this then gets inked up and printed on the press.

The Prints

They look pretty good like this, I must say! But it’s all a big jumble…

Step two: The Painting

Colour, beautiful colour! Watercolour to be precise. I’m not being precise, because I’ll be cutting this all out again…

Step three: The Collage

I make backgrounds from hand coloured paper (ink, brusho, watercolours, salt…anything I can splash onto it really…) These are cut, layered and moved about till I find something which fits.

Step four: Photography

In my studio is a rather rustic but useful construction which I’ve used in my animation work - layers of glass enabling me to construct images in a way which I can manipulate and rearrange, back light and add depth. My initial sketches leave a lot to be desired- in my paintings, I’m a bit more structured - although I do add elements as I go along, much more planning goes into the layouts. With these illustrations, I have an idea, but I’m wanting to play and experiment a bit more.

Step five: The digital realm

Before and after - spot the difference! There are 67 differences between these two images…a high five and a twix for anyone who gets them all!

Not really, but adding a few drawn digital elements really completes the image for me…then the addition of the prompts, and we have our introduction to Folktale Week 2024!

Step six: Alternative image

I love this way of making images. Using the same elements, I am able to try different compositions and play about with different viewpoints. It’s worth the effort. I think.

Thank you for making it this far!

A little reminder about my shop which is full of lovely prints and Ethical Entomology pics. Go visit, and tell your friends! And I’ll have a real life shop at the Bath Humbug Market from December 9-15.

See you next week with the results….wish me luck!