A vibrant modern print
‘The Two Lighthouses, Whitby’
The two lighthouses, one at each end of Whitby Harbour's piers, are very distinctive.
One lighthouse is taller than the other, and they look like they were built at different times. They were: the taller one was built 16 years before the smaller one. They add a great deal of character to this port on the East coast of Yorkshire, UK.
The pillars stand at the entrance to a harbour with an ancient history of invasions, battles, trading, shipbulding and departures on epic adventures. I've seen old photographs showing a bustling port, filled with tall ships nestling inside the safety of the harbour walls. Whitby Abbey, now in ruins high on the cliffs to the right, was a great influence on the town's prosperity. As the only port on a long stretch of coast with little safety on offer otherwise, it's odd twin lights when built must have been a welcome a sight for those out at sea.
Things I've read suggest entering the harbour could be a tricky affair. Nearby rocks stretch far into the sea unseen, regardless of tides. Beyond the rocks on the horizon to the right of the shorter lighthouse, are relatively recent fragments of shipwrecks. So having built the one light, did they later decide another was necessary? I'm not sure there are many ports with two lighthouses – one is more usual I think – so am hazarding a guess as to why there's two and why they're different ages. The difference in height of the two beacons was not the result of harder times, but a deliberate design to help approaching ships navigate into the harbour safely. The duo stand apart, separated by sea, time, materials and construction – individual, yet joined by a common reason for existing. The taller one is wrinkled by a great deal of weathering showing its older status or perhaps the East pier is more exposed. Altogether they add something unique to a stroll along the harbour walls, on a glorious Summer's day.
- Image size: Up to 35cm x 35cm (14" x 14") max
- Medium: digital
- Ground: museum grade art paper
The art in my modern prints is hand‑drawn and painted using a computer. The prints made from the artwork are high quality and archival, meaning they'll outlast me and you if treated with care.
The quality of these prints is amazing and the inks, called Giclée, produce a vibrant fine art finish. Modern technology is pretty impressive now. By painting this artwork in the style of my linocuts using a computer, I'll be able to offer it in several sizes. (I'm busy figuring-out the sizes at the moment). It's possible to stretch a computer file bigger, or squish it smaller, unlike lino which does not stretch at all. My digital art prints will be available at lower prices than my handmade linocuts, as there's less time involved making prints from computer art.