Wednesday 7 March 2012

Steve Edwards - etched lino prints

My friend Steve Edwards has been making etching lino prints for a number of years. By applying caustic paste to the linoleum with brushes, cotton buds and other tools he is able to create a wide range of textures and marks. When I visited East London Printmakers studio yesterday he was working on some new blocks. These are in the early stages - Steve likes to build up several layers of colour to make prints which are texturally rich and cleverly convey light, movement and depth.

Steve Edwards at East London Printmakers
Steve's freshly inked up etched lino blocks



As you can see, the surface of the lino is not etched particularly deeply, just enough not to pick up the ink from the roller. As with any etching process there is an element of the unknown - Steve never knows exactly how it's going to turn out until he inks up the block and pulls the first print. He also combines the etched marks with carving the block to create areas with a more solid, architectural look.

Below are some photos of the prints from the blocks above. There is a really beautiful grainy texture which is reminiscent of lithography or grainy old black and white films. (Click the images to see a larger version).




I'm planning to get Steve down to Margate later this year to teach a workshop at my studio so let me know if you're interested. I have never used this technique myself, so I can't wait to see how it's done properly. Below are a few of Steve's larger works in colour. You can see many of these at Greenwich Printmakers where Steve is featured artist of the month. He will also be showing two large portrait lino prints next month in Linoleum: The Cutting Edge at HemingwayArt in Oxfordshire, an exhibition I have curated.

Waterloo Night - West
Bigface
Blackfriars - west


5 comments:

  1. LOVE Steve's work and he was very helpful to me in my attempts with caustic gloop!
    I would be interested in the course if I am able to come over(depends when it is). It would also be a great excuse to visit your studio : )

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  2. Yes, I'd be interested in a course on etching lino; please let me know if it goes ahead.

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  3. These are really love, and it's not a technique that you see all that often.
    I tried it years ago in college and had great fun with it.

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  4. Good to hear demand for Steve's future workshop! Will try to sort out a date soon.

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  5. ¡QuĂ© pena estar tan lejos! Soy de Argentina. Felicitaciones por tu Trabajo.

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