I printed this block in just black, but I think I will experiment with two greys and black next. The wall in the foreground will be light grey, the middle ground including the tree and birds will be black and the sky will be dark grey – I think.

The first time that you ink up a block is very exciting. It’s the first time that you get a sense of the contrasts within the print.

image size (w x h) – 112mm x 292mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

This poor bittern probably requires a background of some reeds to hide in. I’m going to cut a second block for the background and print it in an olive green colour.

image size (w x h) – 94mm x 298mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

A rather a lost and confused shag.

image size (w x h) – 99mm x 295mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

No cutting today, just a trip to the laundrette, tidying up, hoovering, cooking and ironing. This image was part of a series of domestic images I cut for a book called Washday Whites.

This image has been hanging about in my head for years. I finally got round to cutting it. My tools are a bit blunt at the moment, so it’s quite a rough cut, but I think it works quite well.

image size (w x h) – 105mm x 300mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

This handsome Heron came out well. During the process of stylising the birds they seem to develop very distinct personalities. It was great to try out a range of cutting techniques for the different feathers.

image size (w x h) – 115mm x 300mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

January has been a bit of a bird-fest for me – I’ve cut about six bird blocks. The first one was the wonderful Great Crested Grebe. I like the transition from a white background to a black background. Plus it was a good opportunity to cut some stylised patterns.

I’ve also cut a matching Mallard in the same style.

image size (w x h) – 145mm x 210mm
technique – linocut
edition size – proof

This is the print for the cover of a little alphabet book called ‘Ark Bound Creatures’. The brilliant text is by Nyr Indictor and each page is illustrated with a very simple black and white linocut.

image size (w x h) – 212mm x 214mm
technique – linocut
edition size – 10
paper – Somerset