Description
The Print
Each print comes with it’s own certificate of authenticity signed by me. Only the finest materials were used to make this limited edition print, which I have produced myself. Both the paper (Somerset Enhanced Velvet) and the inks (Epson UltraChrome Pro) are of archival quality, meaning the print could last up to 400 years.
Size: The framed print is 54.5 cm x 44.5cm and the unframed print is 51cm x 41cm (20in x 16in). A standard size that should enable you to get a frame easily online if you choose this option.
The Technique
I draw with Uni-ball Signo ballpoint pens on raw linen canvas. To prepare the surface I lighten the canvas with a white oil paint wash. Once this is dry, I draw with the biro, as I would with pencil on paper. After the drawing is complete, it’s varnished (to fix the ink in place) and more white oil paint is used to add light and finalise the composition. The ink is actually surprisingly versatile, in terms of its colour. If I want a blue tinge to the work I can layer white oil paint over it, or leave the canvas showing through to leave a sepia tone.
The Inspiration
To my mind, the leopard has to be one of the best looking animals on earth. It has such still, languorous beauty that exudes pure power. We were travelling on safari with our teacher, guide and host Jimmy, who is a senior member of the Uganda Conservation Foundation, when we got to spend quite a long time with this particular leopard. Incredibly, he spotted it from a very long way off and we simply had to take his word for it as we couldn’t see a thing! She was sleeping when we arrived but very luckily, she woke up and had a look about and a bit of a stretch, before settling back down to sleep. I wanted to reflect the fact that she was part of her landscape in this piece, not wanting the leopard to be immediately obvious, but one part of the whole.
