“I’m 52 and live in the Conwy Valley in North Wales. Originally a graphic designer, I ran a successful new media agency for 22 years before moving here from Cheshire. I’m lucky enough to be retired from my ‘day job’ now, so printmaking is something I’m able to concentrate more on these days. I live with my wife and stepdaughter in a beautiful part of North Wales, so there’s plenty of inspiration all around me.”
“I studied Graphic Design at College and Uni, so Printmaking was part of the curriculum. I remember really liking the process, particularly linocut. Which is what I concentrate on now. Plus, the experience I gained in print design in my early career gave me an appreciation of colour separation and art working, which definitely comes into play with my printmaking.”
“I produce short run multi-layer reduction linocut prints. Mainly landscapes, inspired by my own original photographs. I tend to stick to Caligo Safewash inks and print on Somerset papers. I usually aim for between 10 and 20 finished prints.”
“Well up until recently printmaking has been a hobby really, but I’m able to spend more time on it now.”
“I’ve recently started a new series based on stone – standing stones, bolders etc that I’ve come across in the local landscape. The textures are fascinating, and the locations are stunning. I’ve finished one print and working on 2 more right now, with plans for many more. There’s an endless supply of material in the locality.”
“I’d like to get them entered into printmaking exhibitions, and maybe even show them as a series eventually.”
“I’ve also booked a photogravure course with Ironbridge Printmakers. I’ve been interested in it for a while, so it’ll be great to learn something new and expand my printmaking skills with Jenny.”
Why did you feel a Gunning Etching press was the best fit for you and your artwork?“I’d spent a good number of years using a basic wind-down press and a small craft press, which were ok, but I wanted to produce larger prints on a ‘proper’ press. I researched quite a few, but the Gunning press seemed to tick all the boxes and it looks fantastic too.”
“I spent 3 months converting an old wooden stable in my garden to be my studio. It’s a great space and the Gunning press is perfect in there.”
“The massive wheel! It’s so easy to use, and the consistency I can achieve with the press is perfect. I also opted for the stand with wheels, which means I can push the press to one side when not in use, which is also very handy.”
Most printmakers have a name for their press, does your Gunning etching press have a nickname?“Er, not really, haha. I hadn’t thought to do that to be honest, maybe I should think of one now!”
“Just do it, you won’t regret it. Don’t settle for anything inferior, the quality of these presses is excellent.”
To see more off Andy’s work you can find him at…
https://www.artfinder.com/artist/andy-abram
Thank you for reading!
Happy Printmaking!
All the best,
Ellie & The Team!
Tag us using the Hashtags…
@Ironbridgeprintmakers @Gunningetchingpress #GunningEtchingPresses #GunningEtchingPress #JennyGunningPrintmaker
If you have read to the bottom of this blog you are entitled to a free gift, please email Jenny@IronbridgefineArts.co.uk with your preferred printing Relief or Intaglio to claim. Postage of £6.99 will still apply.
Why did you choose to purchase a Gunning Etching press?
“I had done so much research about presses and was feeling a little overwhelmed. When I phoned Ironbridge I spoke to Jenny and she was so warm, friendly and carefully explained all my options from stands, to press size to geared. From that moment I had no doubt that an Ironbridge press was the one for me!”
What’s your favourite feature on the Gunning Etching press?
“I love the fact that I can print both intaglio and relief perfectly on the press. The press is quick and easy to go from printing intaglio to relief.”
How did you or your organization get into printmaking?
“I started printmaking in my early 30’s at the Royal Drawing School in London – and haven’t stopped since. I originate from the flat fens of Lincolnshire where my Dad was a cabbage farmer. Having lived in London for over 20 years I recently relocated to rural Northamptonshire with Miss Marple my mini dachshund where I now concentrate on my printmaking and run print workshops.When I’m not in my studio, I teach printmaking at the Royal Drawing School and on their foundation programme.”
How would you describe your work?
“I specialise in linocuts and etchings. My work tells the stories about my life and travels with my mini dachshund Miss Marple – it features landscapes and quirky animals both real and imaginary. My inspiration comes from many sources – medieval margins and bestiaries, animal prints from the 1800’s, folk art, old children’s books, and real life animals that have something of the unusual about them.”
Does your Gunning etching press have a nickname?
“Yes, she is called Pandora. I asked my Instagram followers to suggest a name, and this is the one I chose.”
What would you say to someone thinking about purchasing a Gunning etching press?
“I always say give them a call and have a chat. Talk through your requirements and see what they suggest. I also always tell them that they can visit Ironbridge and try out the presses too – make a weekend of it as it’s such a magical area!”
Any other comments?
“Finding Ironbridge printmakers has been one of the highlights of my life in the past 2 years. Jenny and Dave have become friends and I can’t recommend their presses highly enough. They are both so passionate about printmaking and their joy shines through everything they do. It’s a very special company, very unique – and if you are a printmaker and want a press then I can’t recommend them highly enough!”
To see more off Sam’s work you can find her on instagram at @sammarshallart or browse her website.
Thank you for reading!
Happy Printmaking!
All the best,
Ellie & The Team!
Tag us using the Hashtags…
@Ironbridgeprintmakers @Gunningetchingpress #GunningEtchingPresses #GunningEtchingPress #JennyGunningPrintmaker
If you have read to the bottom of this blog you are entitled to a free gift, please email Jenny@IronbridgefineArts.co.uk with your preferred printing Relief or Intaglio to claim. Postage of £6.99 will still apply.
“I have been looking for a press for years that would fit into a domestic space – ie not to heavy. I visited Ironbridge on the off chance whilst visiting my mother who lives in the nearing town of Bridgnorth. I came across Jenny at Ironbridge fine arts and the most gorgeous Gunning Etching press, it was a perfect solution to my needs – a strong large press that can be taken apart easily and is not to heavy.”
“One thing that drew me to the press straight away and will always be my favourite feature on my press is the massive large round wheel it’s so stylish and practical I love it. I would definitely recommend it as an upgrade option”
“I studied Printmaking at university in the late 90s and have been printmaking in some way or other since then, I think it’s fair to say I fell in love with printmaking. As an artist and printmaker with over 20 years experience of making and exhibiting work. I am based in Lancaster in the Northwest of England working from my own studio and also teaching regularly in print rooms around the country.”
“I would describe my work as messy, scratchy lines and lively compositions of birds jumping out of the plates, aiming to capture the frantic movement and energy. Mainly with intaglio printmaking methods preferring Collagraph and metal plate etchings. My work always starts with drawing and the technical challenge of turning a simple piece of metal or card into a piece of art. “
“She is called Gillian – after Gillian Anderson”
“The press is a great work horse and perfect for relief of intaglio prints – all the sizes and extras mean you can build a perfect solution for your individual studio – ie with a stand and lockable wheels or without – affordable prices too compared to other makes.”
“I love my press and it has given me the total freedom to work in my own studio, I only wish I had a larger space and then I could get a Number 4 XL.”
“Jenny’s work is original and so striking, her technical ability as a printmaker and her imagery is excellent. She is also prolific in her making and each piece is beautiful in its own right. A brilliant printmaker!” Said Jenny Gunning
Jenny is fabulous printmake we can’t wait to see more of her work and watch her continue to grow as a printmaker. she is lucky enough to have won £150.00 worth of printmaking materials from ourselves.
To see more off Jenny’s work you can find her on instagram as @jenny.mccabe or browse her website https://www.jennymccabe.co.uk/
Thank you for reading!
Happy Printmaking!
All the best,
Ellie & The Team!
Tag us using the Hashtags…
@Ironbridgeprintmakers @Gunningetchingpress #GunningEtchingPresses #GunningEtchingPress #JennyGunningPrintmaker
If you have read to the bottom of this blog you are entitled to a free gift, please email Jenny@IronbridgefineArts.co.uk with your preferred printing Relief or Intaglio to claim. Postage of £6.99 will still apply.
A traditional oil based ink perfect for printing onto raised surfaces such as your lino’s and woodblocks.
Relief printing is perhaps the broadest type of printmaking and has recently seen a resurgence of interest. It uses plates made from a variety of materials such as lino, wood, card, metal and cloth.
A popular and reliable formulation – provides vibrant, light fast prints from all types of relief plates
As well as highly pigmented formulations, Cranfield traditional relief inks also benefit from a careful mix of traditional linseed oils. These are chosen and blended to provide a viscosity and structure to the ink – along with that unique linseed smell. This keeps the relief print as fresh and bright as the day it was created.
A safe wash based ink perfect for printing onto raised surfaces such as your lino’s and woodblocks.
Relief printing is perhaps the broadest type of printmaking and has recently seen a resurgence of interest. It uses plates made from a variety of materials such as lino, wood, card, metal and cloth.
We have a wide range of safe wash relief inks which allow for non toxic printing methods and a solvent free way of cleaning. Our safe wash inks are oil based however are water soluble so they can be easily cleaned with liquid soap and water.
Caligo Safe Wash Relief inks are suitable for both damped and dry paper and deliver strong crisp results.
Beautiful pigments, finely ground into the purest oil for archival results.
A traditional oil based ink perfect for pushing into intaglio plates such as dry-points, etchings and photo polymere’s.
A consistently reliable formulation – provides rich prints from all types of Intaglio plates.
As well as highly pigmented formulations, Cranfield traditional etching inks also benefit from a careful mix of traditional linseed oils. These are chosen and blended to provide a viscosity and structure to the ink – along with that unique linseed smell. This keeps the etching as fresh and bright as the day it was created
A safe wash based ink perfect for pushing into intaglio plates such as dry-points, etchings and photo polymere’s.
We have a wide range of safe wash etching inks which allow for non toxic printing methods and a solvent free way of cleaning. Our safe wash inks are oil based however are water soluble so they can be easily cleaned with liquid soap and water.
Beautiful pigments, finely ground into the purest oil for archival results.
The majority of our ink comes in 75ml tubes, these small easy tubes make it easy and fast to dispence ink with storing it in an easy way which prevents ink drying out. These sized inks are perfect for a printmaker wanting to sample a new colour or for someone or for someone just starting out.
Some of our key colours such as your magenta, black and white are available in 300 gram tubes. These tubes are placed into a seleant/caulking guns to dispense the ink with ease and little mess caused. These tubes are fantastic for a busy printmaker they make for a clean print run with little ink waste.
We stock silver, gold and copper in our traditional relief range. These colours allow for a beautiful metallic print with shimmering qualities showing through from the beautiful pigmented ink.
Extenders are stocked in all ranges and are simply like any other ink except include no pigment so that they are completely transparent and offer the ability to mix with other inks creating transparency with in colour.
A specialist washable oil that you can add to your Safe Wash Inks when you need to thin and dilute your ink. It makes your inks thinner, reduces viscosity, increases flow and increases transparency.
This oil modifier is made with the same linseed oil medium we use to make the safe wash inks. It is therefore an ‘oily’ rather than ‘inky’ modifier. If you need to increase transparency but maintain the body of you ink use Caligo Safe Wash Extender.
Caligo Safe Wash Oil is Ideal for Monoprinting and Carborundum printing when you need to thin and dilute your inks
Also suitablle for Viscosity Printing applications when you need to reduce viscosity and increase the flow of your inks.
Thank you for reading!
Happy Printmaking!
All the best,
Ellie & The Team!
Tag us using the Hashtags…
@Ironbridgeprintmakers @Gunningetchingpress #GunningEtchingPresses #GunningEtchingPress #JennyGunningPrintmaker
If you have read to the bottom of this blog you are entitled to a free gift, please email Jenny@IronbridgefineArts.co.uk with your preferred printing Relief or Intaglio to claim. Postage of £6.99 will still apply.
Etching Printing Press No. 2
by Gordon Yapp, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
Etching Printing Press No.1
by Fiona Thomson
