“Scarborough South Sands”

The subject of this landscape art, is the seaside resort of Scarborough. Scarborough comes complete with a castle, two beaches, a working and pleasure boat harbour, a lighthouse, and one of the best views with a cuppa in the UK.

The scene in this linocut is from South Sands beach, looking toward Scarborough Castle high on its distinctive headland. The harbour, with its dressing of yacht masts in the marina and lighthouse, nestles below the ancient look‑out fortress.

This is a site that's been occupied since the late Bronze Age, I understand. Today, it's a place that fills with kiddie delight at ice‑creams and sand castle building. It's the perfect family day‑out seaside destination.

I've grown more and more fond of Scarborough over the years. A lazy meander round the harbour to the lighthouse when the sunlight's jumping off the water is always a pleasure.

Sometimes you're bumping into Twitcher's, some carrying expensive lenses, trying to capture an unusual visitor, such as a Great Northern Diver (A bird for those who don't know, and one that's unusual in the area).

A characterful place and print

Each individual print in this edition enjoys much character. My prints always sport subtle differences because they're handmade.

I've hand‑painted into the ink in these prints, on two of the layers of colour (sea/sky and rocks). I also created texture by contrasting the thickness of ink applied to the lino block. Printmaker's call one I used a 'dry' consistency (on the sand), as opposed to the other which was solid (rocks).

The printmaking method I've used here, is a favourite of mine, called reduction‑cut. It proved challenging, as reduction‑cuts often do. I'm exceptionally pleased with the result though, and will be making more with a similar theme.

This art pairs nicely with Whitby Sands print