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| Morning has broken reduction linocut by Teresa Newham |
In May of last year I snapped this cheeky chappie perching brazenly on the head of a statue in my garden. I thought he would make some kind of linocut, although I didn't get to start the project until earlier this year:
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| the inspiration © Teresa Newham |
As often happens, I had the title already in my head - Morning has broken - a hymn I used to sing at primary school, later recorded by Cat Stevens. His version ran constantly through my head while I worked out how to go about things!
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| working out the design © Teresa Newham |
It took a couple of months to get the design how I wanted it; then a few more weeks while I decided how many colours to use, and which ones. Eventually I was ready to go:
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| getting to grips with the cut © Teresa Newham |
The first cut printed up beautifully - then, of course, I had to cut the same plate again, which meant no going back - always a tricky moment!
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| printing the first colour © Teresa Newham |
As I cut further into the plate, the image slowly started to take shape as the colours built up on top of one another.
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| drying off the second colour © Teresa Newham |
Reduction linocut is a technique popularised (and possibly even invented) by Picasso, and it's exciting to do, because you never know how it's going to turn out . . .
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| printing the green © Teresa Newham |
. . . so I was pleased to see that by the time I'd printed the black, the original character of the blackbird was still evident!
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| beakless - but still jaunty! © Teresa Newham |
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise to the singing, praise to the morning
Praise to them springing fresh from the Word
- Eleanor Farjeon
