Print of the month- Causeway by Sandra Cocks
Sandra Cocks has been a member at Spike Print studio since 2010. Here she talks about her recent print, CAUSEWAY- a woodcut measuring 40 x 93cms.
The Woodblock used is 12mm birch plywood, cut using basic lino/woodcut tools
I chose to print on Hahnemuhle German etching paper 300gms because of its texture and shade of white. I use Intaglio oil based inks, often mixing a colour.
There are 12 prints – limited edition variable ( colours ) – printed using the Tofko press.
My prints start from the image of a figure I have related to from a newspaper or magazine. This image is placed in a landscape and other figures and structures are added. The print evolves in this way until I choose a title, I then know how to complete the print. I prefer to print in one dark colour because this shows the marks of the cutter, which is important to me.
It took in total about 30days. It was the first time I had used the Tofko Press and it was challenging. With help from Francisco, the technician, I mastered it ! I also needed help from fellow printmakers to lift and place the paper and manage the pressing process because of the size of the paper and press.
Posted by Gillian Thompson