Goldcrest drypoint and chine colle

I've been playing with the baby etching press some more...

I printed an edition of six; because the plate is inked and wiped for each print, they are all slightly different (plus I was playing around with varying the amount of ink I left on the plate). The chine colle is the gold crest of the little bird. Printed area is approx. 5 by 8".

This was the first print, nice crisp lines.

This was the last of six. The lines aren't so dark and crisp after six inkings, wipings and journeys through the press. You can see as well the difference you can make in how much ink you wipe, and how much you can vary the tone.

I was fairly pleased with the way these turned out, but it's not easy to judge just how much ink to wipe off! I guess it comes with experience, so I'll keep on keeping on with these!

I'm planning a series of prints, using various techniques, based on the birds I see and hear from the house/garden here in Cambridgeshire. Calling it the 'Bird List' project, not very inspired I know! (Let me know if you think of a better name...) Should keep me going for a while...

More from the holiday sketchbook

France sketchbook

I did a holiday sketchbook as a birthday pressie for my sister - some pics were done at the time, others from photos...

Done in an A5 sketchbook, sorry abut the shadow - from the scanner...

Fungi from the garden

Fungi from the garden, growing in the lawn round about where we (that's the 'royal we' ;)) chop logs. Don't know what they are - there's a couple of elderly specimens, plus a couple of youngsters.

Dog roses for the natural world journal

Next page in the natural world journal, this time it's dog roses - when the swifts are screaming in the sky and the dog roses are blooming, then it's definitely summer! These were from a hedgerow out in the farmland here.

Still loving the Stillman & Birn sketchbook/journal, these will be on my Christmas wish list this year for sure!

Foxglove

Hello!

Another addition to the natural world sketchbook/journal thing, a foxglove this time. I drew and painted this in situ, when the sun was shining and it was nice and warm (and dry!).

I'm the lucky one!

I'm pleased to say that I'm the lucky recipient of a limited edition print from The Natural Line! Elizabeth held a draw for this prize over on her facebook page. If you have a moment, do go and visit - she produces such beautiful work.

Here I am, looking pleased and rather scruffy all at the same time...