Peak District Prints Part 2

In the first of these two posts, I described the creation of a pair of engravings which featured wildlife in a Peak District setting - a landscape with a very different character from the low-lying flat lands in which I live.
The third engraving follows a similar pattern.

3. A Peregrine On The Roaches

One of the most memorable events of my visit to the Peak District was to clamber up a ridge of rock called  the Roaches. They are spectacular in themselves but I was keen to see the peregrine falcons that were nesting there. I was not disappointed. Most impressive was the speed at which they approached the nest when they took over parental duties from each other.

I decided not to engrave a peregrine in flight. They have such a powerful presence when they stand and survey the landscape. That is what I wanted to attempt to capture. I started by making very rough sketches and then a more finished ink drawing.

I tightened the image by reducing the size of the drawing by cutting and pasting. It would still be one of my largest engravings on wood. Here is the final drawing:

I added a silhouette of a second peregrine in the sky and, beyond the Roaches, I drew the shape of a separate hill called Hen Cloud. I consciously suggested the shape of the rock formations in the pose of the bird.

Engraving was a lengthy process as I wanted to include much detail at every stage. I started with the eye and worked outwards:

 

Here is the finished block:

From the first proof, I was pleased with this image. I made a few adjustments to tidy some elements and balance light and dark and then it was done:

"A Peregrine On The Roaches" 

Wood Engraving.  Image size: 120 x 120mm

 Hand printed on Zerkall paper in an edition of 125 

4. Peak Post

I have already described the  making of the nine small blocks that make up "Peak Post". This was a way of including glimpses of the Peak District which had interested me but which, in themselves did not suggest a substantial engraving. 

I have also had a fascination with so called "Cinderella" stamps and have engraved them before. Here are some of my original sketches:

And here are most of the individual blocks:

There was not an issue with printing the individual blocks but I wanted to print all nine together as a "sheet" of stamps. This took a lot of careful preparation as I adjusted the blocks on the press:

 

It was worth the extra effort when, after careful adjustments of packing, inking and pressure, I was able to pull crisp impressions from the press:

 

"Peak Post"

Nine wood engravings printed as a group. Image size 130 x 175mm

 Hand printed on Zerkall paper in an edition of 125

I will add a reminder that the whole set of approximately forty engravings will be exhibited at many places in the Peak District during 2014 and that I will be demonstrating engraving and speaking about this experience at Gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 2EH on Saturday 12th April at the Private View, which runs from 12noon - 4pm.

***The two prints described here are also for sale at a pre-publication price in my Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AndyEnglish

Peak District Prints Part 1

I was one of a dozen engravers who were invited to visit the Peak District and create wood engravings in response. I was part of a group who traveled there in early May 2013 and, over the next few months, I planned and engraved four prints. The whole set of approximately forty engravings will be exhibited at many places in the Peak District during 2014. I will be demonstrating engraving and speaking about this experience at Gallerytop Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 2EH on Saturday 12th April at the Private View, which runs from 12noon - 4pm.

In this first of a pair of posts, I will show the development oftwo of the engravings.

1. A Chatsworth Hedgehog

I enjoyed the grounds of Chatsworth House very much but found my inspiration in the extensive vegetable garden. I liked the sunny parkland stretching out beyond the stable block and, nearer to hand, I loved the terracotta rhubarb forcers. It was rather early for many vegetables to I decided to imagine those at a later date.

I found this composition rather difficult. No matter how I arranged vegetables and forcers, I was unhappy with the result, which lacked focus. The answer came to me as I was walking round my own village. A hedgehog! They are a favourite mammal of mine and, although I saw no sign of one during my visit, I was sure that Chatsworth must have many hedgehogs scuttling about in the twilight.

Here is a series of four preparatory drawings which show how I took a sketchy idea and developed it to the point that I could start to engrave:

The last drawing is in ink and shows how I turned the stable block to make a more symmetrical image. The leeks make a small "avenue" along which the hedgehog has been moving.

The engraving was relatively straightforward. The first proof pulled was rather flat and grey and so I had to make sure that I let enough light into the image by widening some of the engraved lines.

Here is the finished image. I was particularly pleased with this engraving after the difficulty I had at the beginning.

 

" A Chatsworth Hedgehog" 

Wood Engraving. Image size 104 x 70 mm 

Hand printed on Zerkall paper in an edition of 125

2. Dovedale Heron

I had seen this heron on a walk along  Dovedale the previous year and had been thinking about making an engraving so this was the perfect opportunity. There was no difficulty in this composition as I had a vivid memory of the heron perched on a dry stone wall, standing on one leg.

The heron is on of my favourite birds and I have made three engravings - one large and two tiny. I was lookng forwards to adding a forth.

Here is my original ink drawing. Having made it, I decided that I wanted to change the slope of the wall and so made the very rough sketch below it.

As usual, I made an outline drawing in ink on the block. The cuts themselves are improvised as I work.

I enjoyed engraving the stone wall. I tried to give each piece its own character, rather than use a formula throughout the wall.

It was soon time to start working on the background:

Here is the engraved block. Notice how the valley side behind the head is engraved right up to the bird.

I was happy with many aspects of the print when I pulled the first proof but it seemed a little "flat". After much thought, it occurred to me to cut a circle of light behind the head.  As soon as I took the next proof I was happy with the image. Who knows where inspiration comes from?

Here is the finished engraving:

"Dovedale Heron"

Wood Engraving.  Image size: 106 x 67mm

 Hand printed on Zerkall paper in an edition of 125

I am offering a special pre-publication price on these two engravings. They can be purchased at this price exclusively from my Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AndyEnglish