Bass Rock Revisited

So here is my latest offering. It is a view of the Bass Rock from the John Muir Country park at Tyninghame. I have been mulling over a 'pebbly' scene for a while. I love how the pebbles have turned out.

I started out using a blend of brown, blue and greys to set the background. Then I set out the Bass Rock and highlighted the breaking waves with the green. Next came the brown and blues of the rocks.

The first 2 proofs used a dark blue on the base Bass Rock but stopped after the first 2 as I wanted the Rock to receed more.

Christmas (or not) cards.

Having now absolved myself of the blog guilt I can now blog my latest creative activity. Combining my twin loves of chine-colle and trees, I designed a wee card. After initial reservations I am now v. pleased with the results.

Blog guilt!

I have been having blog guilt! but have been seriously busy. Firstly I was back in Ireland for half term, where I paid homage to THE 'Windmill Stump'. So watch this space for a moody Irish linocut!

Secondly I have been trying to sell some prints which takes more time than you would think. I did the Portobello Organic Market to day which was good fun. I have spent the best part of this week packaging and framing prints.

groynes finished

Here is the finished groynes image. The jury is still out as to whether the 'proper oil based done in the studio' version is actually any better or in fact not as good as my home grown proofs!

It does look more finished but I quite liked the painterly quality of the waterbased inks. Maybe I should just have done some watercolours and saved my hands?

Piggy!

So I had booked a studio session this morning to finish off the groyne picture but I knew it wouldn't take very long. I spent ages yesterday mooning about trying to find inspiration for something else to do.

I sketched a wee piggy on a lino block but then decided it was daft. My husband found it later and said he loved it. So I cut it out and am very pleased with the results. The image shown is a rough proof done last night in the add break on grand designs! My inability to remain monochromatic led me to create a background block.

It was so much fun to do. I kept giggling to myself in the studio each time I made one.

So here is that tree print finally printed up on lovely Fabriano paper using oil based ink.

I am reconsidering my colour obsession. Here is a simple wood cut I did at the start of the summer. Maybe it is time to go monochromatic for a while.