This month I tried to make a print of some kind each day. On social media this was tagged #printoctober or #printinktober. My aim was to pay more attention to printmaking as I try to do more of it in my retirement. Looking back there are a few outcomes.

Firstly, for practical purposes I needed something straightforward to do on days when there wasn’t much time. I used a set of print blocks that I had called Blockface, made by Will Mower, and coloured inkpads to make simple patterns and pictures. I enjoyed making these and began making larger and more complex versions.

One theme that emerged was experimentation with different surfaces to use for monoprinting. Some of this relates to finding cheap and effective ways to monoprint in schools as I volunteer at an art club. I used silicone cutting mats and baking mats here. The cutting mats were better for drawing on to but the baking maps were a little soft and were potentially better for masks and stencils.

Another was using the Gelliplate to make collage papers in seasonal colours to use in #ticketart. Some of these were pleasing compositions in themselves which might lead to more monoprints.

I used some of the monoprints to make a set of #ticketart called #seasontickets. In this photo they’re not quite finished.

Later I used StopMotionStudio to animate them.

During October I went on a great printmaking course at the West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. It was taught by printmaker, Lisa Stubbs, whose prints I’ve always liked very much. We explored using Tetrapak and other techniques such as blind embossing and chine collé to make relief and intaglio prints. I came away with lots of ideas for future making!

Towards the end of the month I varied my use of pre-made print blocks. I used a set of circles and parts of circles on a grid over two days.

I also used the Blockface parts to make a flip book with limited success.

It’s been a challenge to print every day although I think there are some ideas and outcomes that I can develop further.