A Printmaker’s Journey: Kate Dicker SWE RE on Italy, Engraving and Colour

Before art college I had always admired Gertrude Hermes and Eric Fitch Daglish and then, at Camberwell School of Art (1980-1983), I was introduced to wood engraving by John Lawrence. Preparing a drawing for a small-scale block suited me well, with careful planning of shapes to work with black, white and grey tones. The aim was to create as many fine and varied marks as is creatively possible in the composition. 

Mastering the tools was a skill to acquire while being aware of ‘black line’ or ‘white line’ engraving, plus all the challenges of working in reverse. 

The wood block is end-grain wood, as opposed to the plank (the latter  being used for wood-cutting). The end-grain is so close it can take fine marks. My prints in Rachel’s next exhibition are 10 x 10 cms, and are a series I made after a residency in Italy back in 2001.  It’s always important to me to experience a view first-hand and to make careful, observational drawings. Back at home in Winchester I selected part of the drawings and composed each scene to fit the square blocks I had ordered. I made a tracing as a key-line drawing to transfer on to the block, in reverse. These prints are: Lucca, San Gimignano, Vineyards and Tuscan Trees. 

Kate Dicker Lucca (wood engraving, 10 x 10 cms unframed size)

I am an elected member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers and Society of Wood Engravers and served on both committees and, recently, I have re-joined the SWE committee.  It is a very healthy society with an impressive touring show. The venues can be seen on the society’s website www.societyofwoodengravers.co.uk 

Whilst I love the creation and the sound of engraving on wood I also love the freedom and use of colour with monotype printmaking. Quite a different approach to engraving. A monotype is a one-off print in several layers, created on a flat piece of perspex or aluminium plate. The shapes for the separate colours are hand-created by wiping away, using a wet rag, dry rag, spray of water or a stencil before each colour is passed through the etching press to complete the final print. I work in my studio in Winchester.

Kate teaches one-day wood engraving courses TBA at Ochre Print Studios near Guildford and The Colour Factory in Winchester.