A World of Ink & Paper
My etchings are produced entirely by hand (scroll down for a chronological list), I use copper plates, which have to be shaped, bevelled and polished. The plate is ‘grounded’ on a hotplate using a mixture of bitumen and beeswax, this acid-proof layer is smoked with tapers to darken it before drawing with the needle on the copper.
I prefer not to have too exact an idea of the completed image, but allow it to grow as I work from the drawings and notes in my sketchbooks and ideas in my head. Small blemishes and errors can be corrected with ‘stopping out varnish’. Everything, of course, must be drawn in reverse.
To etch the initial ‘line’ stage of the image I use ‘Dutch Mordant’ hydrocholoric acid with additions, putting larger plates in three or four times and adding or subtracting areas and details as required between each stage – for richer effect.
The plate can then be cleaned off and inked up.
The first proof is then taken on a large copper plate press, the design of which has not essentially changed for two hundred years. ‘Aquatint’ is employed to achieve areas of tone and texture. Powdered resin is applied in an aquatint box, the plate gently heated, the resin particles melt and adhere to the copper. Each stage is ‘stopped out’ and etched in nitric acid – usually in about twelve different stages – sometimes going beyond the expiry of the minute resin particles back to the bare metal and so to ‘open bite’. On occasion, I use open bite in the more traditional way.
The plate can then be cleaned off and proofed again. It is likely, and this is normally deliberate, that areas of the image will be far too dark and four or five stages of scraping, burnishing and proofing are normally required before the image is considered finished. Half a dozen more proofs are printed and the plate is ‘steel faced’ to preserve its surface qualities. This in no way affects the image.
The edition can then be printed. This is expertly done by my son Jason, on a hand-driven copper plate press. Meanwhile, I plan and mix in large quantities, the dozen or so hand-applied colours that are used on each image or set of plates. When one example is ready my hand-colourist diligently works through the whole edition, taking the utmost care over a period of many months.
As soon as some of the work is ready, I check, title, number and sign each print, usually in batches of 20 or 30, until the edition is complete. The plate can then be ‘cancelled’ in such a way that further printing would be impossible, thus ensuring the limitation of the edition forever.
Graham’s Limited edition etchings - a chronological list
1973 - Dance by the Light of the Moon
1973 - Dingley Dell
1973 - St. Winwalloe’s Dream
1973 - Lord of the Mowers
1974 - Haymakers
1974 - Anderida Oak
1974 - Spring Ploughboys
1974 - Industry
1974 - Beneath the Green Willows
1974 - Cottage Gardners
1974 - Cornish Haven
1974 - Rural Scene 1
1974 - Rural Scene 2
1974 - Rural Scene 3
1974 - Scenes from an Unwritten Book
1974 - Lyonesse
1974 - Prospect Cottage
1974 - Farmstead
1974 - Valiant
1974 - Spring
1974 - Summer
1974 - Autumn
1974 - Winter
1975 - High Weald
1975 - Morning
1975 - Noon
1975 - Evening
1975 - Night
1975 - The Hearth
1975 - Waiting at the Crossing
1975 - Windmill Hill
1975 - Rustic
1975 - Journeyman
1975 - Valley Cottage
1975 - Little Weald
1975 - Badger’s Oak
1975 - Skaters
1975 - Phil’s Farm
1975 - Yes We Have
1975 - Little Cornwall
1976 - Sunflowers
1976 - Etching
1976 - St. Aldhelms Dream
1976 - Harbour
1976 - Old Quarries
1976 - Church Hill
1976 - Village Street
1976 - Lychgate
1976 - Toms
1976 - Beach Boat
1976 - Artichoke
1976 - Mowers
1976 - River Mill
1976 - Nightwork
1976 - Farmers Line
1976 - Kentish Farm
1976 - Along with the Gypsy Davy
1976 - Porth St. Ruan
1976 - Hopper’s Hurst
1976 - Fishing Cove
1976 - Ragstone Valley
1976 - Dark Isle
1976 - Late Euphonium
1976 - Long Beach
1976 - Fiddler
1976 - Milkmaid
1976 - Mellin Porth
1976 - The Stores
1977 - Dream Come True
1977 - Goose Girl
1977 - Nuits St. George
1977 - Castle Nonsuch
1977 - Mullion Cove
1977 - Thomas Hardy’s Cottage
1977 - Catfish
1977 - Nocturne
1977 - Shepherd’s Cottage
1977 - Home Farm
1977 - Crabbers
1977 - Jubilee Band
1977 - Old Man
1977 - Old Lady
1977 - Hobby Horse
1977 - Brian
1977 - Grange
1977 - Buttermere
1977 - Stonethwaite
1977 - Seatoller
1977 - Southern Breeze
1977 - Old Manor
1977 - Some Kentish Revellers
1977 - Home Alone
1977 - Strand
1977 - Eggs
1977 - Mooner
1977 - Archipelago
1977 - Mermaid
1977 - Snowdrop
1977 - Network
1977 - Fresh Fish
1977 - Pastoral 1
1977 - Pastoral 2
1977 - Churchyard
1977 - Cowherd
1977 - Goose Manor
1977 - Little Thomas
1978 - Cornish Maid
1978 - Martins
1978 - Harvest Moon
1978 - Sussex Farm
1978 - Four Horsemen Wondering Whether to Have an Apocolypse
1978 - The Fall of Icarus Fenner
1978 - Left Right Oops
1978 - Stampa 1
1978 - Stampa 2
1978 - Stampa 3
1978 - Cottage No 1
1978 - Cottage No 2
1978 - Corfe Castle
1978 - Song of Samuel
1978 - Sailor’s Return
1978 - Haddocksville
1978 - Fruit&Veg
1978 -Washday
1978 - Porthellis
1978 - Tibby’s Teatime
1978 - Evening Shadows
1978 - Blue Moon
1978 - Monday Farm
1979 - The Loaves
1979 - And the Fishes
1979 - Quercus Berserkus
1979 - Mallards in Flight
1979 - January
1979 - February
1979 - March
1979 - April
1979 - May
1979 - June
1979 - July
1979 - August
1979 - September
1979 - October
1979 - November
1979 - December
1979 - Gout de Grenouille
1979 - A Rather Cordial Entente
1979 - Oignons
1980 - Teapot Clipper
1980 - Turnip Court
1980 - Haddock’s End
1980 - Smart Shoes
1980 - Thomas Hardy Annual
1980 - Skippers
1980 - Squeeze Box
1980 - Flora Bundy
1980 - Googly
1980 - Fry Up
1980 - Master Mariner
1980 - Nasty Tern
1980 - Greenways
1980 - Rush Hour
1980 - Taddles
1980 - Fido
1980 - Albert Ross
1980 - St. George’s Bicycle
1980 - Uphill
1980 - Downhill
1980 - Ellen’s
1980 - Henry’s
1980 - Hawkmoth
1980 - Walkies
1980 - Bonzo
1980 - Crabtree
1980 - Borage
1980 - Yeomans
1980 - Brimstone
1980 - Phew
1981 - Everything in the Garden
1981 - The Rushes O
1981 - Nethercott
1981 - Vita’s White Garden
1981 - Crabbers Retreat
1981 - Magi
1981 - A Time for Dancing
1981 - Shepherds
1981 - Merry Gents
1981 - With Permission
1981 - Pilchard Practice
1981 - Botanist
1981 - Buzzer
1981 - Tea Ladies
1981 - Tortology
1981 - Parsnip Percy
1982 - Brew Up
1982 - Tilly’s
1982 - Gruntled
1982 - Snook Cocker
1982 - Coup de Grace
1982 - Pardon
1982 - La Queue
1982 - Un Bon Cadre
1982 - A Decent Cup of Tea
1982 - The Great Fish
1982 - Aperitifs
1982 - Nice Frame
1982 - Uncle Sid & The Limpet Racers
1983 - Spring (Seasons 2)
1983 - Summer
1983 - Autumn
1983 - Winter
1983 - By Appointment
1983 - Etching on Silver for M Bolton
1983 - Morning Rush
1983 - Spuddery
1983 - Groundsman
1983 - Nightshift
1983 - Mogs Court
1983 - Outback
1983 - Mother Hen
1983 - Snippery
1983 Noah’s Ark Triptych - Gopher - Arke - Ararat
1983 - Garlec Arkham
1983 - Quite Cricket
1983 - Tour de Franc
1983 - Nativity Triptych (miniature)
1984 - Oxo Oxo
1984 - Nice Stuff
1984 - Hovis
1984 - Reg’s Vegs
1984 - Igtham Mote
1984 - Wimpole Home Farm
1984 - Royal Oak
1984 - Dew Drop
1984 - Drakes
1984 - Good Intent
1984 - Gardners
1984 - Woodman
1984 - Breeze
1984 - Rifleman
1984 - Notte Todaye
1984 - Are They?
1984 - Snowy
1984 - Excelsior
1984 - Fred
1985 - Fare-Ye-Well
1985 - A-Rovin’
1985 - Arimethea
1985 - Mon Canari
1985 - Skip
1985 - Woof
1985 - Icon
1985 - Proper Job
1985 - Lost Sole
1985 - T4-2
1985 - The Very Plaice
1985 - Untitled
1985 - Hastings Job
1985 - Jolly Good Robin Hood
1985 - Canters Chaucerbury
1985 - Hampton Tennis Court
1985 - ready Sir?
1985 - Waterloo Volunteers
1986 - Dunroamin’
1986 - Romans Do
1986 - D’Arthur
1986 - Men of Kent
1986 - The Wooden O
1986 - Steamers
1986 - Keep Your Saxon
1986 - Rufus Spratling Chronicle
1986 - Good Lord
1986 - Going West
1986 - Fireworkers
1986 - Albert All
1987 - Rue de Wakening
1987 - Alfred King
1987 - Young Oskins
1987 - Your Expert
1987 - Old Vic
1987 - Silent Night
1987 - Winter Fuel
1987 - Buttercup Joe
1987 - Varmintry
1987 - Special Delivery
1987 - Beside the Seaside
1987 - Dog Eared
1987 - Careful Perusal
1987 - Mirabel
1987 - La Roche, Alba
1987 - First Stop
1987 - Home Guard
1987 - Summer Passengers
1987 - Winter Goods
1988 - Home Baking
1988 - Ahoy
1988 - Bon Chance
1988 - Voila
1988 - A La Carte
1988 - Bon Apetit
1988 - Plat du Jour
1988 - Piece de Resistance
1988 - Reine de la Mer
1988 - Blues St. Louis
1988 - La Tres Chose
1988 - Tournesols Vincent
1988 - It’s a Doges Life on the Grand Canal
1988 - Italics
1988 - St. Francis
1989 - Menu Turistico
1989 - Fresco Oggi
1989 - Trattoria Romantica
1989 - Multo Economico
1989-Carte Antico
1989 - Chez Nous
1989 - Johnny Garlic Sausage
1989 - Chianti Dante
1989 - Fish Merchant of Venice
1989 - Home Sweet Home
1989 - Dance for Peace
1989 - The Journeyman
1989 - Just Abiding
1989 - Look Wot’s Arrived
1989 - Joe’s Place
1989 - The Royal Star
1990 - Tom Tinker
1990 - Stable Lad
1990 - Realm of Glory
1990 - Ye Faithful
1990 - Inglenookers
1990 - Modus Cantiana
1990 - January
1990 - February
1990 - March
1990 - April
1990 - May
1990 - June
1990 - July
1990 - August
1990 - September
1990 - October
1990 - November
1990 - December
1991 - Gran’s Hat
1991 - Old Joanna
1991 - Bat & Ball
1991 - First & Last
1991 - Anchor &Hope
1991 - George & Dragon
1991 - Diligence
1991 - Shatto
1991 - Le Canard Mort
1991 - Cafe Cochonique
1991 - Visage de Cabillaud
1991 - Crapaud en Trou
1991 - Ols Jack
1991 - Rickyard
1991 - St. Peter’s Lychgate
1991 - Winter Feed
1991 - The Place, Boughton Monchelsea
1991 - Kitchen Garden
1992 - Not so Neither
1992 - Sage of Onions
1992 - Lady of Shallot
1992 - rainbows
1992 - Herberts Turbots
1992 - Winter Mixture
1991 - Tea Cosy
1992 - Hamilton Lady
1992 - The Woman Hathaway
1993 - Salon de The
1993 - Bloater & Skyrocket
1993 - Chevalier
1993 - Neptune
1993 - Pisces
1993 - Trices
1993 - Rice Field
1993 - Sake Works
1993 - Tepanyaki
1993 - Kushikatsu
1994 - Eden Eve n’ Adam
1994 - Year of the Dog
1994 - County Town
1994 - The Party
1994 - Pondering
1994 - Song of Old
1994 - Providence
1994 - Kettle Watching
1995 - Morning Scholar
1995 - Shottery Troth Plighting
1995 - Flowers of Cities All
1995 - Great Shakes
1995 - Mermaid Taveners
1995 - Food of Love
1995 - Totus Mundis
1995 - Full House
1995 - Title Page
1995 - Nanako’s Fish
1995 - Vintage Port
1995 - Year of the Wild Pig
1995 - Dove of Peace
1995 - Le Jeu du Mail
1995 - Blue Moon
1996 - Year of the Rat
1996 - Hengist the Horsa
1996 - Catalyst
1996 - Dogmatic
1996 - Bunny Hops
1996 - Parrot Fashion
1996 - Morning Daisy
1996 - Trogs
1996 - Song of the North
1996 - Brushwork
1996 - Jolly Sailor
1996 - Monday
1997 - Where’s My Cake
1997 - Lovely Grub
1997 - Primus Time
1997 - Go Jo
1997 - Etching & the Prints of Whales
1997 - Year of the Cow
1997 - Year of the Tiger
1997 - Year of the Rabbit
1997 - Year of the Dragon
1997 - Year of the Snake
1997 - Year of the Horse
1997 - Year of the Sheep
1997 - Year of the Monkey
1997 - Year of the Chicken
1998 - Bird of Freedom
1998 - Evening Sunrise
1998 - The Kindly Light
1998 - Star Band
1998 - Year of the Dog II
1998 - Bakers Day
1998 - The Sweet Nightingale
1999 - Dandelion Palace
1999 - High & Dry
1999 - Logger Rhythm
1999 - Marigold Hall
1999 - Mrs Moonshine
1999 - Rose Cottage
1999 - Gdonya
1999 - Tapas
1999 - Howdy
1999 - Weinhund
1999 - Tinto Blanco
1999 - Saluto
1999 - Dancing in Time
1999 - Wilt Thou Marry Me?
1999 - Vins Fins
1999 - Trou de Bonde
1999 - Cuisine Vulgare
1999 - The Party
2001 - Let There Be Light
2001 - L’Anniversaire
2001 - Mon Plaisir
2001 - Grand Hotel
2001 - Lebretou Isle
2001 - The Cat’s Whiskers
2001 - Serenata
2001 - All in Good Time
2001 - Very Great Western
2002 - Our Golden Vale
2002 - Fisherman’s Ballet
2002 - From Little Acorns
2002 - Captain Booth’s Fancy
2003 - Dorey’s Cottage
2003 - Blue Chair
2003 - Octopolis
2003 - Happy Days
2003 - The Crabritanian Embassy
2003 - Working Party
2004 - Whelkhome
2004 - Hopalong
2004 - Peace & Friendship
2004 - Village School
2004 - Return of the Dove
2005 - Stargazers
2005 - Shantytime
2005 - Zut Alors!
2006 - Village Wedding
2006 - Nexus
2007 - Noah’s Ark (linocut)
2007 - Cat (linocut)
2007 - Camel (linocut)
2007 - Tortoise (linocut)
2007 - Peace of Fish (linocut)
2007 - Gotcha (linocut)
2007 - Fish & Ships (linocut)
2008 - Round &Around
2008 - Close Up Please
2008 - For You Madam (1st, 2nd, 3rd state)
2008 - Wild Rover
2008 - Tea Party
2008 - Ramblers Road Apples
2008 - Stavanger
2009 - Plonks
2009 - Fisko
2009 - Fizz
2009 - Check
2009 - Sooty
2009 - Away!
2009 - Rollin’
2009 - Suldal
2009 - Look at That!
2010 - Sheepdogs
2010 - Dream Weaver
2010 - I Art Here
2010 - Let’s Get Merry
2010 - The Quay
2011 - Fin des Vendanges
2012 - The Uncle (line only)
2012 - Smallbone & Co (line only)
2012 - Copper Kettle (line only)
2012 - Perfect Harmony (line only)
2012 - Perfect Harmony
2012 - All the World in London
2012- Warm Up Tunes
2013 - Very Much Obliged (line only)
2013 - Very Much Obliged
2014 - The Playhouse
2014 - Oysterble
2015 - Smallbone & Co
2015 - The Uncle
2015 - Copper Kettle
2016 - The Jetty
2016 - Yew-Topiary
2016 - C’Mon Missus
2016 - Tympan & Frisket
2017 - Kipperland
2017 - Beetle Bods
2017 - Now & Then
2017 - Four Michelin Tyres
2017 - Red Flags
2017 - Dogsbody Eleven
2018 - Maidstone 1890
2018 - Bill Steel’s Deal
2018 - The Princess
2019 - Coast with the Most
2019 - God Morgen
2019 - Topp Fisk
2019 - Dode with Green Man