INFLUENTIAL MASTERS OF PRINTMAKING

The revival of woodblock relief printing was pioneered by English wood engraver Thomas Bewick towards the end of the 18th century. A keen naturalist, Bewick made use of his observations from nature to create delicate prints, working against the grain, which was unique among his contemporaries, and varying the depth of line to achieve tone and texture.

During the 19th century, changes in printing technology resulted in printmaking becoming more reproductive, divorcing the artist from the process. Publishers could now work rapidly, and in large numbers, for mass media. This led many artists to return to traditional techniques, and in the early 20th century, a renaissance in wood engraving flourished, with prominent figures, such as Eric Ravilious and Edward Bawden, taking the mantle. Ravilious was greatly influenced by the work of Bewick, and his style reflects this. “I love both the rhythmic and parallel lines of his work, as well as his obsessive mark-making,” says Angela. “Learning more about his life, I feel a great affinity with him. When he was growing up, he had a canary he used to whistle to, and in later life, he never lost the ability to whistle as he worked. He obviously had a great love of birds, which I do too.” Ravilious was known as a white-line engraver, working with the white line and engraving directly onto the block. “This is what I do too, but using a different process. Just as Ravilious is inspired by Bewick, I am inspired by Ravilious,” she says.

“Even in recent years, there has been a great revival in the interest in craft printing,” reveals Angela. In that sense, she has now become part of a new generation of printmakers, in a long line that has spanned centuries.