Green Fuse

Linocut test print. Two human shaped trees with a spiral of leaves.

There’s often an imaginary gallery in my dream landscape. Various prints and drawings appear on the walls, some of which I recycled years ago. A few months ago, this woodland scene was on display. I didn’t like it but it kept getting in the way of my dreaming walk around the gallery. Maybe if I make a version in the real world it’ll disappear from my dreams? Cutting the lino took a long time. A drawing would’ve been much more direct but it wouldn’t have looked right.

I’m very fond of folk tales and legends. The thought of making pictures of tree spirits didn’t appeal, there are enough around already. I suppose this is a depiction of the life force of the planet we live on. We don’t think about our connectivity until it’s under threat.

The theory of bad workmen blaming their tools comes in again. Blunt cutting tools won’t cut fine lines exactly where you plan them to be. Badly made rollers/brayers won’t pick up ink smoothly. I thought I’d use a second roller to add blue to the upper corners of the tree. It didn’t pick up any ink at all…

Back view of a print in progress
Lapis lazuli?

Sometimes a tiny detail isn’t in contact with the paper. A wooden spoon or the edge of a coin is useful to rub that section more closely. My usual beach pebble had disappeared so a piece of lapis lazuli was employed instead.

Sunset

Watercolour of a sunset at Freshwater East

I thought I’d make a quick splashy sunset picture. It took longer than intended. Some of the layers reminded me of making a lithograph.

Beginning the sunset

The photos I worked from were taken while smoke blew across from a recycling fire. I didn’t notice the black clouds at the time.

Erasing

Pencil lines that will become lettering

A few years ago I had a disagreement with some drawing researchers about erasing mistakes. They said all lines are important and should always be kept. I don’t think we were talking about the same kinds of drawings, or if they draw at all.

Yesterday I was drawing with an eraser, adding highlights not removing mistakes. That reminded me of the odd discussion. Today I’ve been moving lettering around. Lots of lines have been changing position. I’m glad I’m not forced to keep all the previous versions as it would’ve been a solid block of lines by now.