Using a Lino block and the ‘reduction’ technique, these are the completed Drop Box design on a t-shirt.
Flattened Drop Box
After seeing how successful the ‘flattening’ of my Green Man image was in developing a t-shirt design, I revisited one of my much earlier sculptures (‘Drop Box’) to see if that would work too. As before, I put the photograph into the Sketch Book App on the iPad and drew around the image before experimenting with filling in the shapes using the fill tool. Above are the resulting images – I think they’ll look pretty good on a t-shirt.
Of T-Shirts and Jackets
Having printed my Green Man design on paper, I decided to try putting it on one of the most common places logos are seen – items of clothing. Using the same Lino blocks as before, I printed the design on white and grey t-shirts. Although the registration wasn’t entirely accurate, I feel the slight off-set really adds to the image. Taking the clothing idea one step further, I went to ‘Rotherham Embroidery’ located in Rotherham Indoor Market that specialises in printing and embroidery. I bought a Harrington jacket and, after a few discussions, they embroidered the design onto the breast. I have since had quite a few positive comments about the design.
Final Prints
The two print layers are now completed. I initially tried to produce a ‘clean’ print with no evidence of the cutting being shown. However, having made some mistakes at the inking stage, thus showing some of the cut lines, I decided to intentionally include them in the final print. As seen in the pictures, they add a certain, appropriate ‘feel’ to the final image, seemingly more organic. I am happy with the framed print.
A Logo for All Seasons
Having noticed ivy wrapping itself around a nearby garden fence, I tried adding something similar to my Green Man logo image. Again using the Sketch Book App, I coloured the image to evoke certain seasons of the year: (from left to right) Spring/Summer, Autumn and Winter.
First Prints
Here are the first prints of the main colour block, drying on the line!
The Printing…
Click on the captions to watch the videos.
Blocks One and Two
These are the completed Lino blocks for printing the Green man logo. The first will be for the red areas (or any other dominant colour) whilst the outline will be in black. Both are seen here in reverse, ready to print. I always take care to try and ensure the pattern left in my cutting is pleasing enough to be possibly included in the print.
Back On The Lino
Having made enquiries about the costs involved in printing my Green Man logo, I have decided to do it myself – if only for now. In a method that is slightly different from what I have done previously, I am intending to make three Lino blocks, one for each colour and then print them onto both paper and fabric. This is the beginning of the first block – the reds.
Art of Mandolin
By way of a diversion from my on-going Green Man project, I have been carving a design inspired by the triskele-like designs on the Newgrange Tomb entrance stone, onto a mandolin. I first stripped back the original sunburst finish to the bare wood, before carving the design using a Dremel tool.
The surface was then dyed (English Light Oak) before being polished using beeswax. I feel the mandolin now has a well-used, almost antique look to it.
grooveware art 