Creating “Roseberry Topping” linocut
Original Print – Linocut on Paper
My… Roseberry Topping is a popular place on a sunny afternoon. Much loved by locals and visitors alike, and with good reason.
This is a lino print capturing the landscape landmark that is Roseberry Topping. The city of Middlesbrough in Teesside glitters in the distance.
Yes, I did just say Middlesborough glitters – it did the day I sketched the scene. For those not familiar, it's a highly industrialised town on the North East coast, so I suspect some people might fall over the idea it's a town with any sparkle.
Perhaps the light catches on the roofs of the warehouses and other industrial installations. That, or we're being unfair to the place.
Roseberry Topping, a hill of distinction
Roseberry Topping is a distinctive hill located in North Yorkshire National Park on the edge of the North York Moors. It can be seen from the A1, a main road North.
When I've been up to Newcastle or Northumberland, it's a way‑marker that tells me I'm nearly home. For those travelling the other way, it's sure to be a similar beacon.
A popular destination, the top of this unique hill is a surprisingly busy place on most sunny summer days. The view from the top is breathtaking and said to rival many a higher climb.
A picturesque area
There's quite a few viewpoints that take your breath away in the area surrounding Roseberry.
The Captain Cook monument, and Lord Stones across the valley, both provide great views of the north‑end of the Vale of York, and of Roseberry Topping.
There's lots of landscape art here. It inspires dozens of ideas for paintings and prints every time I visit, and my collection of art made around this site is always growing.
Printing ”Roseberry Topping“
This print has had a number of graduated colours applied to each lino block, and it gives it a richness difficult to reproduce online.
A single lino block was cut away and inked four times. Each time it was hand‑cranked through my press. There are no plugs or on/off switches involved in making my original prints.
I experimented with the colour scheme for this print, and I'm really pleased with how well the experiment turned‑out.
Exhibited at City Screen, York in 2019