Bucks Printmaker Blog

Walnut Engraving Tool Handles
Getting nearer with the shape, and addressing the challenges in creating the handles.
Fri 31st Jul 2020

Experimenting with Wood Finishes
Want to use traditional finish that is sympathetic to wood that enhances it, but safe to use, and not varnish/stains.
Thu 30th Jul 2020

Engraving Tool Ergonomics & Reinventing the Wheel
My thoughts on Ergonomics, and why I appear to be reinventing the wheel.
Sun 19th Jul 2020

Engraving Tool Ferules
My thoughts on Ferules for engraving tools.
Sat 18th Jul 2020

Another Wood Engraving Handle
Second test handle getting nearer, but needs testing with engraving now.
Thu 16th Jul 2020

First Test Handle, a little big perhaps
Pleased with first test handle - on tool - perhaps slightly too big, but that is something I can work on.
Wed 15th Jul 2020

Turning a Handle, Woods & Tools
Next test wood engraving tool handle being turned, these being slightly larger than usual.
Tue 14th Jul 2020

Making my own Wood Engraving Tool Handles
Standard engraving tool handles are too small for me, so experimenting in turning larger ones in more attractive woods.
Thu 9th Jul 2020

Sharpening Wood Engraving Tools for others
With many years experience in sharpening, I can and have sharpened tools for others, and hope to turn my own handles / make own tools.
Mon 29th Jun 2020

COVID-19 - Sometimes feeling 'Out of Sorts'
Over 13 weeks into lock down, at times we've been feeling 'Out of Sorts' as we've been at home so much, but have made the most of it.
Wed 24th Jun 2020

COVID-19 - Good books should be read twice
I enjoy reading, and have always felt that good books should be read twice.
Sun 21st Jun 2020

Reprinted Bottles Print
Using modified press, have reprinted my bottles print.
Sat 20th Jun 2020

COVID-19 - Unconditional Love
Daughter at tea time reminded us that we have unconditional love for them.
Sun 14th Jun 2020

COVID-19 - First Outing in Car since March
Haven't driven my car since early March, the battery needed recharging.
Sat 13th Jun 2020

New Press Bed for Prototype Press
I've completed a new press bed for my prototype press.
Wed 3rd Jun 2020

New Handle for Prototype Press
My prototype press needs a new handle (current one too short) so creating new one using draw knife.
Tue 26th May 2020

COVID-19 - Negative Result in 4 days (Research Study)
I don't have the Coronavirus - expected as I don't have symptoms (from Research Study).
Thu 21st May 2020

COVID-19 - Produce from Garden
Starting to get produce from our garden.
Wed 20th May 2020

COVID-19 - Schooling: Long term challenge for Parents
Schools have been closed for nearly 10 weeks now and there is no sign of any near 'normal' for a long time.
Tue 19th May 2020

Abstract Wood Engraving
Wood engraving of some bottles, combined with letterpress text, but needs better printing.
Mon 18th May 2020

'Scene Through Wood: A Century Of Wood Engraving' by Anne Desmet RA
I was fortunate to get a copy of this exhibition catalogue although the exhibition has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19, and enjoyed it.
Mon 18th May 2020

COVID-19 - Completed Research Study Home Test Today
Performed my COVID-19 test today, using home testing kit, as part of research study with NHS and Imperial College London.
Sat 16th May 2020

COVID-19 - Research Study Kit Arrived
My COVID-19 test kit (for research study) has arrived, I've read the instructions and booked the courier pickup.
Fri 15th May 2020

COVID-19 - Frost in May & Damaged Potatoes
We weren't expecting frost in mid May, and it has damaged some of our potatoes.
Tue 12th May 2020

COVID-19 - Invitation for COVID-19 Testing Research Study
I've been randomly selected for a COVID-19 test - which means I'll get a coronavirus test at home - even without symptoms!
Mon 11th May 2020

COVID-19 - First time leaving house for 7 weeks
We celebrated VE today at home, and also the children left the house for the first time in 7 weeks.
Fri 8th May 2020

COVID-19 - Celebrating VE Day
We celebrated VE today at home.
Fri 8th May 2020

Wood Engraving Block Clamp
I have made my own adjustable wood engraving block clamp which comes in very useful.
Tue 5th May 2020

COVID-19 - Reinstalled 3 computers
I wasn't expecting to have to reinstall 3 computers this week.
Tue 5th May 2020

COVID-19 - We've been very busy
This blog has been quiet for a while, not because there wasn't anything to say, but because we have been busy.
Fri 1st May 2020

COVID-19 - Working on the garden
We have been doing a lot of work on our garden, partly for food security as I have Gastroparesis.
Mon 20th Apr 2020

COVID-19 - Easter Card Text
We have created a simple Easter Card with pictures from our children, a simple wood engraving from me, and letterpress that we created together.
Sun 12th Apr 2020

COVID-19 - People Matter - Stay at Home
Simple letterpress print using traditional metal type on a printing press, to make a point in these uncertain times.
Fri 10th Apr 2020

Easter Egg Wood Engraving Prints
As a family we are creating a digital Easter card, each providing an Egg picture, and here are 2 of mine.
Wed 8th Apr 2020

Vase Wood Engraving Print
I have recently completed this vase wood engraving, with abstract leanings.
Wed 8th Apr 2020

Holdfasts - traditional clamps
I use Holdfasts - a very traditional form of clamps.
Sun 5th Apr 2020

COVID-19 - Florence's 7th Birthday during Isolation
It is our 7 year old's birthday today, whilst we are in total isolation.
Sun 5th Apr 2020

Timber used to make items
View of timber used to make blocks etc.
Sat 4th Apr 2020

COVID-19 - Tesco 80 Item Limit & Gastroparesis Comments
Some comments about Tesco's 80 item limit when we shop for a relative, as I can't digest food like other people can and need a special diet.
Sat 4th Apr 2020

Test print - Bottles Wood Engraving
Wood engraving of some bottles, combined with letterpress text, but needs better printing.
Thu 2nd Apr 2020

'Find Your Artistic Voice' by Lisa Congdon: Mini Book Review
An interesting book about being yourself, finding your artistic voice by practicing.
Thu 2nd Apr 2020

'Drawing & Sketching' by Adrian Hill: Mini Book Review
Sketching is important within all forms of art, and this is one of the books that has inspired me.
Thu 2nd Apr 2020

Wood Engraving Tools & Test Prints
Some of my wood engraving tools & test prints - I need a better picture but time hasn't been on my side.
Thu 2nd Apr 2020

COVID-19 - nhs.uk advice - Stay At Home
We are told simply to stay at home, with just 4 exceptions being allowed. Quite understandable, but quite exceptional.
Tue 31st Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Gardening and Growing Veg
Things we did - Gardening and growing veg with our 6 and 9 year olds.
Mon 30th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Watching 'The Great Pottery Throw Down' (Channel 4)
Things we did - watching this 10 part programme with a 6 and 9 year old.
Mon 30th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Isolation, we become our children parent, teacher and friend
Comments on the changing relationships that pandemics produce.
Mon 30th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Doctors making big family sacrifices, we should stay at home
Thu 26th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Panic buying food and Gastroparesis
I can't digest food like other people can and need a special diet, some comments about the recent panic buying and empty shelves.
Thu 26th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Our children need all our time & encouragement at this time
Note on self isolating with children for months on end - they need our all time & encouragement at this time.
Wed 25th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - GOV.UK message saying staying at home
Tue 24th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Home Schooling is testing my spelling!
In Home Schooling today, trying to do spelling with my 6 year tests my own spelling!
Tue 24th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - First day of Home Schooling, but had fun too
We are self isolating for the long term - read about our first day of Home Schooling during the Coronavirus pandemic, which included fun too.
Mon 23rd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Emails - everywhere is closing down
Mon 23rd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - In years to come, people won't believe us
In years to come, people believe what happened to us in 2020.
Mon 23rd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Don't leave things on the floor, they'll get stood on
Note on self isolating with children for months on end - don't leave things on the floor.
Sun 22nd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Artists income will suffer due to this pandemic
Many art exhibitions and galleries are being closed during this pandemic, and whilst there are worse things happening in life, this is going to be a big hit on the art world.
Sun 22nd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - We're making a list - a rather different list
Things have changed so much recently, we are starting to rewriting our lists of things to do.
Sun 22nd Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Doctors surgery, don't visit, treat minor illness at home
Sat 21st Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Look after yourself - this is part of my story
During this time, those of us who look after others need to look after ourselves, and I make some suggestions based on my life experiences.
Sat 21st Mar 2020

Exhibition Reviews On Hold During Coronavirus pandemic
During the Coronavirus pandemic all exhbibition reviews are cancelled.
Fri 20th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - It feels like we're at war, but we are doing our bit
How life is so different now; we feel that we are war, but are doing our bit.
Fri 20th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - New Family Chapter - Isolating, but not Isolated
A new chapter in our family begins as we start to self isolate as much as possible. We chose to isolate but are not isolated as we still have full contact with many people.
Fri 20th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Schools Closed Until Further Notice
Schools closed until further notice now. Quite understandable, but quite exceptional.
Thu 19th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Inspiration - Arctic & Antarctic Exploration - Isolation
Coronavirus & Arctic/Antarctic Explorers have something common when dealing with isolation - or extreme isolation.
Thu 19th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - We've just been to a funeral
We have just buried a close relative, and this isolation is bad timing for those concerned.
Thu 19th Mar 2020

Society of Wood Engravers & Coronavirus Cancellations
Unfortunately, the SWE's 100th anniversary events have had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus.
Wed 18th Mar 2020

Holly Block Making for Wood Engraving Printmaking
Making small blocks for wood engraving during the worldwide 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.
Tue 17th Mar 2020

Textures & Pattern in Wood Engraving
Over the past few months, I've been creating various textures and patterns test in wood engraving, to enhance my prints.
Sun 15th Mar 2020

COVID-19 - Watching James Herriot 'All Creatures Great and Small'
Things we did - watching 1970s James Herriot 'All Creatures Great and Small'.
Sat 14th Mar 2020

'25 Wood Engravings by Peter Lawrence' by Peter Lawrence: Mini Book Review
I was fortunate to pick up a copy of only 100 copies of this excellent little book containing 25 of Peter Lawrence's engravings, plus sketches.
Sat 7th Mar 2020

'English Wood-Engraving 1900 to 1950' by Thomas Balston: Mini Book Review
An interesting book from 1951 with an introduction and separate engravings.
Sun 1st Mar 2020

Inspiration: Barbara Hepworth 1961 BBC Documentary
Fascinating 1961 Barbara Hepworth BBC Documentary that outlines her work in such a great way, well worth a watch
Fri 28th Feb 2020

'The Artists's Guide to Composition' by Frank Webb: Mini Book Review
Whilst related mainly to painting, it is still, to me, a very useful book about shapes, line and tone.
Tue 25th Feb 2020

Encouragement: Hilary Paynter Interview (Bankside Gallery, London)
Interesting interview with Hilary Paynter regarding the Society of Wood Engravers on the Bankside Gallery website.
Sat 22nd Feb 2020

Exhibition Review: 2020 Society of Wood Engravers (82nd, Bankside Gallery, London)
I enjoyed visiting the Society of Wood Engravers 82nd Exhibition this week, at Bankside, London.
Fri 21st Feb 2020

'Drawing & Sketching' by John Palmer: Mini Book Review
Whilst about sketching mainly with colour, the 2 books by / about John Palmer are a big inspiration to me.
Thu 20th Feb 2020

'Barry Moser: Workshop in Wood Engraving' from Ritchie Video Archive: Mini YouTube Review
Excellent digitized version of Barry Moser's lecture / demonstration on Wood Engraving from 1982.
Fri 24th Jan 2020

'Nature's Engraver - A Life of Thomas Bewick' by Jenny Uglow: Mini Book Review
Well written book about Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), a father of Wood Engraving, including a lot of detail about his childhood as well as adulthood, with many illustrations by the Man Himself.
Tue 14th Jan 2020

'Realistic Abstracts' by Kees van Aalst: Book Review
Excellent book on for anyone even if not working in Abstract Art, excellent introduction of 2D art theory in a very succinct which makes you think. Translated from Dutch.
Sat 11th Jan 2020

'Four Hedges' by Clare Leighton: Mini Book Review
Clare Leighton's wrote and illustrated this 1930s fascinating book detailing her garden in Monks Risborough in a 1 year monthly diary.
Mon 6th Jan 2020

Howard Phipps Wood Engraving: BBC's Countryfile in Wiltshire
Interested to see that Howard Phipps is on Countryfile wood engraving; found out from The Society of Wood Engravers monthly email newsletter.
Sat 4th Jan 2020

'A History of Wood Engraving' by Albert Garrett: Mini Book Review
I recently bought a second hand copy of this excellent book, which includes a detailed history of Wood Engraving, with 400 illustrations
Fri 20th Dec 2019

Sharpening Abrasive System & Reprofiling Wood Engraving Tint Tools
This week I have been Reprofiling my wood engraving tint tools using my Sharpening Abrasive System, so they produce a broader range of widths whilst engraving.
Thu 12th Dec 2019

Bugs and Car Break Downs
Past 2 weeks been a write off mainly due to bad colds and 2 car break downs.
Fri 6th Dec 2019

Hawthorn Block Making for Wood Engraving Printmaking
Making engraving woodblocks from felled trees using hand tools only.
Fri 22nd Nov 2019

Lower case g carving
I have been carving this lower case g out of solid oak, as a decorative piece to explore the shapes of thes letters when enlarged
Thu 21st Nov 2019

My hand tools & traditional techniques
I use hand tools - hand planes, hand saws and the like, I don't own machines - this is traditional techniques.
Fri 15th Nov 2019

Timber Source - local trees, quartered using traditional techniques
Some of the timber I use for block making is locally sourced as trees, which I have quartered using traditional splitting techniques.
Fri 15th Nov 2019

Vintage Printing Blocks - 3 Experimental Prints
With Liberty & Co connections via Chesham & my 1900s family connections, I have been experimenting printing vintage advertising blocks.
Sun 10th Nov 2019

Liberty of London - Chesham & Historical Family Connections
Read about Chesham's connections with Liberty & Co, and my family connections.
Sat 9th Nov 2019

Christmas Cards for 2019
Fri 1st Nov 2019

Letterpress - Moveable Metal Type
Mon 28th Oct 2019

'Etching and Engraving' by John Buckland-Wright: Mini Book Review
Whilst this covers several techniques, the section about Wood Engraving is useful.
Sun 20th Oct 2019

10 Years of Clock Cases - Photographing Clocks
Sun 20th Oct 2019

Amersham Art Group
I have been involved with the Amersham Art Group for many years - first as it's secretary, and latterly as their Chairman.
Fri 18th Oct 2019

'Wood Engraving' by Walter Chamberlin: Mini Book Review
To be completed...
Wed 2nd Oct 2019

'Modern British Wood Engraving DVD' from The Society of Wood Engravers: Mini DVD Review
I bought this at the 2019 Wood Engravers Exhibition at Bankside, and have enjoyed watching it.
Wed 2nd Oct 2019

JW Evans, Silver Factory, Birmingham - Site Visit c.2009
In 2008 I was fortunate to visit English Hertiage's JW Evans Silver Factory whilst it was being restored; I have family connections to the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter & Liberty\'s.
Wed 2nd Oct 2019

'Engravers Two' by Simon Brett: Mini Book Review
A good overview of current members / subscribers in 1992 to The Society of Wood Engravers, and some of the wood engravers. Well printed.
Tue 1st Oct 2019

'Wood Engraving - How to do it' by Simon Brett: Mini Book Review
This very well written book by Simon Brett is a classic and well acknowledged elsewhere.
Tue 1st Oct 2019

'The Technique of Wood Engraving' by John O'Connor: Mini Book Review
A short book introducing Wood Engraving, with some emphasis on the modern techniques of the time.
Tue 1st Oct 2019

Testing, Testing - Getting new site ready
Sat 28th Sep 2019