An Introduction to Burin & Plate
Welcome to Burin & Plate! I’m Ella, and I’ve been a printmaker since 2016. In this introductory post I’m going to discuss how I came to work in linocut, the inspiration behind my prints, and some information on my printmaking practice in general.
Why Linocut?
My first interaction with printmaking was during GCSE Art lessons in 2012, but I didn’t explore the technique further until 2016, while I was at university. I studied History of Art at the University of York which included a module on eighteenth century printmaking, and I remembered how much I’d enjoyed having a go at the technique at school. I bought a cheap printmaking kit and started making some prints based on the beautiful architecture of York in my student room - it was a great distraction from my studies and the perfect creative outlet! Studying Art History also means that I’m surrounded by amazing sources of inspiration, which have also had a significant influence on my work.
During lockdown I focused more seriously on printmaking, working on honing my technique and building an online community on Instagram of other amazing, supportive printmakers and artists. In 2021 I began a PhD in History of Art at the University of Warwick, and printmaking became even more important as a way to switch off from the stresses of research.
I love the printmaking process because I find it incredibly relaxing, from the initial carving of the block to the repetitive process of inking and pulling prints - I never get tired of that first inking or first test print!
Inspiration
Most of my prints focus on the urban environment and architecture. I love places that have an interesting story to tell, whether that’s a historical event or a personal memory. Interesting or unusual architecture is also one of my favourite things to carve, particularly buildings with intricate details or textures that will translate well into print. Bricks and cobbles are two of my favourite things to carve, alongside water! Most of the places featured in my prints are locations that I have visited or lived, and a few are based on photos from friends and family too. I’m interested in the way that artmaking can be both a means of, and a repository for, memory and storytelling, so making prints of places I have a personal connection to can be a great way to immerse myself in those memories and stories. It’s also lovely to hear other people’s stories about the places I have made prints of, and add those into the fabric of the image.
Film is also a big interest of mine, and has had a significant influence on my prints too. They've been a subject for numerous prints, but also the way in which shots are framed in cinema to suggest an emotion or a story - without a word being said - is something I also try to pay attention to in my work.
I also love making prints of the mundane, everyday things that might otherwise get overlooked, such as motorways, highstreets, and residential housing. Finding beauty and interest in these everyday things is important, and helps me to better appreciate the smaller things in life.
What’s Burin & Plate About?
When I first started printmaking as a hobby in my small university bedroom I had no idea where it would take me, and I set out with no clear plan. Besides GSCE Art I have had no formal training, and have learnt through trial and error - which has been both very exciting and (at times) a bit frustrating! Finding my favourite tools, papers, and inks has been an exciting voyage of discovery, and I love chatting to other printmakers to share techniques, tips, and unexpected methods. Visiting primary and secondary schools to share the magic of printmaking through talks, workshops, and demonstrations has been one of my favourite activities in recent years, and is something that I hope to explore in the future. Encouraging creativity and analogue making is something I’m really passionate about, especially as a way to switch off from a fast paced, digitally focused world! I love that printmaking techniques have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years (besides the materials!) but that the prints themselves always feel so fresh, and that there’s always something new to discover.
I’m always happy to chat printmaking, so please feel free to get in touch using the contact form on the website or through Instagram.
