Materials

Paper

In terms of final product I use only archive paper, namely Old Cleeve from the Griffen Mill, a mill with a reputation for producing conservation paper of the highest quality for conservators the world over.

The paper is usually but not exclusively 115gsm, it is alkaline and has a long fibre length. Consequently it has a very good memory when dampened for printing and then dried and is extremely strong and lends itself well to a number of other applications such as wrapping and paper fastenings.

Ink

The printing inks are linseed oil and carbon black, a time-honoured press ink, other colours as projects demand will be used.

Writing ink is exclusively oak gall ink, usually of my own making and from others when available. Depending on which of the many recipes one follows one gets different results, some tend to brown, others blue black, the most desirable of the tones. This variation is very much reflected in the written and drawn pieces.

Blocks

My early blocks were of lino, however all blocks are now of the appropriate European hardwoods. Currently I am trialing sycamore, which so far has proved successful and have acquired maple, box and beech for future printed works.