STAGE FOUR

It started to get exciting as I applied the first layer of inks on to the bridge. Initially I applied a soft grey, mixed from white and a little black, to all the bridge areas. As the swans are in front of the bridge it was impossible not to roll the inks over certain areas of the swans – those areas would be inked darker anyway. The process of applying the inks at this stage requires a little attention to detail to make sure you do not get ink onto areas of the sky and river that would stand out on the finished print. The four prints were again hung up to dry overnight . I removed the lighter colour tone areas of the bridge to leave the main structural parts which, when printed darker, would enhance the overall impression of the bridge. Railway bridges tend to be strong, impressive features of our urban landscape. After mixing a soft black with black and Prussian blue, I used a small roller to highlight the bridge, beaks, feet and edges of the wings. This is the time that the image comes completely to life and I love it. When inking the bridge, I rolled the ink on heavily, but as I approached the base of the stanchions I lifted the roller off slightly, to give the effect of fading