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Sunday 1 March 2015

An arty adventure


One of my Christmas presents was a day at a lino printing course in Sheffield. I've been looking forward to it hugely,and finally the day arrived. I travelled to Sheffield on Friday night, and met my brother who lives in the city for an early dinner. Up early on Saturday morning and we went to Hunters Bar, the area where the course was being held. As well as having a brother who lives in Sheffield, I feel strong links to the city. I was a student there in the 80s and have very happy memories of that time. It's just one of those places that will always have a really special significance.
As students, Hunters Bar was the place we often came on a Sunday. There is a beautiful park here, with a river running through it, and there have always been lots of interesting shops. The art school was once sited here, although that has now moved into the city centre.



Things have changed, but not too much. In those days, it was 'second hand' not vintage, and there were many little shops selling old clothes. Pre-Primark, this is how we shopped! I distinctly remember buying a pair of leopard skin hobnail boots from a second hand shop along this road, which I wore proudly with a pair of old long johns and a large pinafore dress. Anyway...the printing workshop was set in Cowlishaw Works, behind a pine shop and next door to a vintage china store.



There were eight of us on the course and the tutor was James Green, who is an amazing print maker. Most people had come along with a design in mind, and we got straight down to tracing it onto a lino tile using carbon paper.



Then it was time to start carving the lino. James provided all the tools for us. Some people had come up with really intricate designs: mine was pretty simple by comparison. I still found it quite tricky though. It was great to work alongside other people, we chatted and helped each other along, with sound advice and help from James.



Slowly it took shape. A break for lunch and chance to try some of the lovely local cafes and bakeries.



Finally, time to ink up! I chose black which I thought would suit my graphic design.



A few test prints are done first, and any adjustments made. For example, if there are any messy bits where the ink catches in the wrong place, or a chance to add some more detail. The patterned print above was by Susan, who was sitting opposite me.



And then, time to print on a piece of cartridge paper, to make the final picture. It was so satisfying! Everyone had a little moment as they revealed their design. It's a lovely thing to see. Each print was so different. Some people worked from photos, others had gone for pattern. Mine was probably the simplest style. 



A few of the other prints drying on the floor. Loved the frog and the street scene.
We finished by about 3.30pm, just time for a final cup of tea and a chance to let the ink dry. I headed off to the Millenium Gallery in Sheffield and saw a beautiful exhibition about bird illustrations, well worth seeing if you're in the area.



Then just time for a quick snack in The Crucible Theatre cafe and back on the train home. Pretty much a perfect day. 

16 comments:

  1. Your lino print came out the best of the bunch I think! what a fun day you had and Sheffield looks full of interesting places to visit.

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    1. I should have taken a pic of them all, there were some lovely ones, but thank you for saying that! The nice thing was that we were all in it together, I really enjoyed that part of the day.

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  2. What a lovely day. I 're-discovered' behind Hunters Bar (we only live about 8 miles away) a few months ago when I was wedding dress shopping with daughter number 1 and have made a mental note to go back there when I am not under so much stress!!

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  3. You live in a lovely part of the world Anne, and I would love to be closer. Sounds like you're pretty busy at the moment, but it's definitely a place to wander when you have plenty of time. There was a wonderful bakery and coffee store, also selling organic veg and produce at 232 Sharrowvale Rd. The food looked so delicious.

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  4. What a great sounding day and I love your print. It would make a great card! I still have the cards I bought from you over a year ago. I love them so much I can't bear to part with them!!

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    1. tOh thank you! I was just admiring your pancake post but I was unable to leave a comment, my technology, not yours!

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  5. What a lovely present, your Lino print looks brilliant......think you will be doing a lot more of this! Great little shops too, I remember those weird and wonderful clothes combinations, we thought we were inventing the wheel didn't we...just like the teenagers today do! ;) xxx

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    1. Hi Amanda, yes we thought we were very out there! But I am very glad I was a teenager during those home made times. I would have hated the bodycon dresses and towering heels that girls wear now (and I do know that makes me sound ancient and out of touch :))

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  6. What a lovely day you had, loved the print you made. I used to do a lot of lino printing at art college, and my bestest friend from those days (and who is still my bestest friend now) has taken it up again.

    Ah, memories of happy days!!

    Helenxx

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    1. Hi Helen, that sounds like a lovely thing to do at college. Maybe you'll do some more? The great thing about it is that it's cheap and easy to do at home. I am really looking forward to experimenting more now.

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  7. Your design really suits the medium of lino print, I'd forgotten what fun but hard work it could be it's such a long time since I've done any, but how much nicer to do it in a group with others, what a fantastic present.

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    1. Hi, yes, you're right it was great to work in a group, lovely people from all sorts of different backgrounds and jobs. But we all had to concentrate really hard!

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  8. What a fabulous xmas present. Your day in Sheffield sounds lovely and it's so nice to get a change of scenery now and again isn't it? Love your design, so interesting to see how all the prints differ in style.

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  9. Hi Fiona, yes, great to try something new and in a different city too. Thanks for your comments x

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  10. We hope to visit Sheffield for the first time very soon - but it looks as if one day might not be enough to do it justice!

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  11. There are many good parts of the city. I'd recommend the Botanical Gardens, Sharrowvale Rd and there is also an emerging Antiques Quarter if you like that kind of thing! The Millenium Gallery and Graves Art Gallery in the centre are also great. Enjoy your trip.

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