Tom Davidson

Tom Davidson

http://www.tomdavidson.co.uk

   

Tom Davidson's lino-cuts are produced from a single block of linoleum, using a reduction process, printing each colour on top of the previous colour, working from light to dark. All of Tom's works are hand drawn, or cut and printed by the artist. Prints are produced in limited editions of between twenty and thirty. 

Its hard to believe that these images are lino -cuts! Well all I can say is thats how its done. The prep that must go into creating these final images through lino cutting must be so time consuming. Its hard to even imagine where to start. Its said to start from light to dark! If you look at the middle picture of the tree as my example, The bark has so many little details that had to be all done by hand. Impressive. The way he using light to cast shadows and highlight bits. The colour mixing is another thing that interests me? Knowing how much to make - How light or dark the mix will finally dry? Drying time? What if it is wrong? 

I used some ink to do an example of a egyptian cave painting and it ended up smudged and messy! It must of slid when I put my paper on the top while then laying the blanket on ready to go through  the press. 

I would like to view these in more detail so will plan to visit his shop/gallery in Earlston. 

Tom graduated in Graphic Design in 1977 and turned to printmaking in 1984. Choosing lino-cuts as his preferred media. Tom also paints in various other media.

make mine a double

Beer Street & Gin Alley

William Hogarth



For me the first thing I notice is the view of the perspective. I like how the women on the stairs is centre image but then your eye is taken doen and through the street in the background. For any artist this would be a difficult thing to master, but to create this with an etching I feel should stand out alone for exactly that. The foreground gives another angle and interesting composition.




Here I smile at the look on the women's face. Grime as the scene is she looks pretty jolly...... The basic understanding in depth and line I feel plays a massive part in this etching. The lines and crosshatching all given different acid time for soaking( I think could have been a process?).  I think that all of the preparation that went into this work, before many of the scene's may have even been considered. This would of been very time consuming.

I do like how the scene looks like evening is just setting in. The tone mixed with the highlighted parts of the centered framework looks to me like the sun is setting behind the actual artist.  It isn't till you look back into the background that it maybe seen from the right more. ..  ...I like this idea and different way of viewing the scene.
Maybe artist's back in the 1600's -1700's did work this way I'm not sure! But I do think its a clever way of making a play of how the viewer is taken into the scene?

While gruesome and the story behind it is interesting for me it doesn't matter so much as the intention the artist had. It looks like a cartoon or illustration in a soft childlike way, which I think is another interesting way of softening what is actually happening with the figures or drama's. Like its mocking and making fun of the horror unfolding.  In some ways it not sticking to a ideal and while this is fitting for the drama I like how keeping the perfection of the buildings in terms of correct accurate drawing knowledge is mixed together.

 


Same can be said for the etching Beer Street. For me it doesn't matter what is happening. Its the execution of the finished tones value. The technique carried out with the light and dark against the line and form. How he created this through process of etching and timing to perfect the final result.




When put together the etching ain't so different. When separate the stories unfolding is what actually give you the wow gruesome feel. This gives another level to the print. I dont feel the need to be drawn into this however to appreciate the value of the print.

It has me asking questions about processes and technique. To want to understand and know more. For a student learning I feel that if something can effect you enough to want to do or want more its done its job and more.......for a print in 1751 that can still speak out in modern day society says alot. In some towns we still see similar if not worse states on a Saturday night. Not that much has changed there!

Kevin Greenfield Photography

Kevin Greenfield 

Photography

Today, 19/10/16 we had a class talk from Kevi Greenfield.  He was informative and I enjoyed watching his slides as well as listening to his talk. For me the real truth was the facts that crop up again ad again.

• love for the art/work your doing and a real interest
• being willing and able to adapt
• research and keeping up to date with technology

Kevin had always had a interest in photography and from what he said an inquisitive mind regarding it ever since the teenager years and his dad buying him his first camera at age 15. After school Kevin worked and traveled. He was a runner for television/film at one point working his way up to an actual cameraman. He had also worked in a camera shop which helped with costs for his equipment.. His love for the camera never left him and since settling down later on he has had the opportunity ad satisfaction to work in different fields of photography.

Some of these include : wedding and styling, corporate, artists work ad profiles, charities, food, interiors, brochures and outdoors, climbing and mountain biking, action for children, game and field shoots, furniture

So as you can see a lot of variety.

I found Kevin's talk great, exciting informative and his knowledge you can tell is learnt. A man that has worked at getting to this standard he's at.......He told us that competition (Amateurs ,well not really the same standard as him) at wedding photography had helped push him into adapting to changes. As he put it, its your bread and butter so you do the work that pays. Luckily a good portfolio and word of mouth has helped over the years. Connections and good team helps as well as keeping up to date. 

Lighting was another thing that helps play out the imagery. Very important.

TAKE PHOTOS

3 or 5 picture story

This was my favorite part of his talk because i found the idea so easy yet genius. To take three photos that tell the story. So overall scene - main shot. close up/equipement/style , one person or object maybe. think about landscape or portrait as this can change a scene's feel.

I liked the connection I made with the idea that because he learnt his processes with a tough old style of discipline at college, this set him up for a standard to take into working life forever. The standard was set. This rang true for myself and my decorating. I had a tough boss who never told me I'd done good....I wasn't ever good enough....he'd tell me there is always something that could be done better and by god he'd find it. He would hut for something- anything from a spot one the floor to rough cut line. missed bit etc. I learn to do a good job first time round and to a very high standard. It wasn't till I left that I realised that it was a great thing to have gained for the little bit of extra effort Id but in.

Also just read that Michelanglo said 'if people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all! 

It so true.........Kevin was a great inspiration however, while I do feel photography is a massive importance to a artist or designer it is definitely not a road I want to head to far down. Basic knowledge and kept up to date maybe at best for reasons of display and cataloging work or documenting progress etc.

kevin given talk

Some of the picture examples of his work/portfolio were amazing in scenery composition and colour.  The detail being so clear. This is a couple but I dont do justice to them on my quick snap copies