How it's going (and other news)

An update on the new registration trial

I know you have been on the edge of your seat since my last post, waiting to hear how the new registration method is working. Well so far it is going well, or rather it is excellent in parts, like the curate’s egg.

Registration is PERFECT. Just look at this - the total width of the section shown below is about 6 cm but tiny details of the window and frame are still spot on even after several layers. (This photo was taken seconds after printing so from this close up the ink still looks a bit wet and gunky).

Handling is also so much easier and the few seconds I have to spend wiping ink off the jig are easily outweighed by not having to manoeuvre the plate and continually check that it hasn’t shifted.

My one reservation is getting an even pressure. There is quite a bit of tiring wooden spoon action going on when I have to go over areas where the ink has not picked up properly. This might be because my Sláma press (diameter 12 cm) is not lying flat enough to make even contact, or it might be the ink roller is not distributing the ink evenly to begin with. This will probably become clearer with successive layers. If it remains a problem I think I have three options:

1. Try a piece of MDF instead of plywood which might be flatter.

2. Try printing on my big etching (roller) press instead of using a hand press. (Undesirable because it’s a bit of a faff for small prints, though it does require significantly less elbow grease so it has that in its favour).

3. Try curling up on the studio floor and crying.

Stay tuned to see which if any of these options I go for.

Rule breaking

You are now seeing a small glimpse of this new print in the images above. This is a departure for me because you might know that up until now I have only ever worked from my own images and my impressions of places I have been myself. This is one of several reasons that I don’t take commissions. This print however breaks that rule as it is from a photo that a friend posted on social media. I was immediately drawn to it and its dappled shadows (obviously) and so after private discussion with the photographer this print is now happening. I will give more info as the print develops.

In other news

I am taking part in a pop-up Frost Fair held by the Thin Ice Press in York on 30th November. Unlike the original frost fair in 1740 from which the Thin Ice Press takes its name (and which I wrote about here) this will not be on the frozen River Ouse but in historic St Anthony’s Hall, next door to the Centre for Print. There’s a map on my events page. Nearest parking is the Foss Bank Pay & Display car park about 350 metres away and the Park & Ride No 8 service from Grimston Bar stops immediately outside (ask the driver or fellow passengers to tell you when you’re at Peasholme Green).

As I won’t have hanging space for a grand display of my current work and large framed pieces, I’ll be taking along smaller framed and unframed earlier work and my remaining stock of handprinted items like tote bags, lanterns and Christmas bunting - all at bargain prices, a lot under £20 and some even under £10. I think at least two fellow members of York Printmakers are also taking part.

The Thin Ice Press Frost Fair - prints, art and local crafts
Saturday 30th November
10.30am - 4.30pm
St Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW

Last chance to see

The exhibition of the Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Competition ends next Saturday, 16th November. It includes my linoprint Boardwalk which - did I mention this already? - WON A SPECIAL AWARD. (OK so I might have mentioned it once or twice…)

Full information about opening times and location are on my events page as before.

I will be back next week talking about something completely different - though if I have any exciting (shush you) updates on my print I will include those too. Thanks as always for reading.

See you soon

Jane