The Wildlife Trusts XV: Native Red – Limited edition print

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 53.5 cm x 53.5cm and the unframed print is 50cm x 50cm. 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
This was the fifteenth artwork created as part of The Wildlife Trusts project. The project lasted just over a year and involved us travelling around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, visiting 53 Wildlife Trusts reserves, across 20 separate Trusts.

Red squirrels are a very potent symbol of nature in the UK. Threatened by human activities on many different levels, they are clinging on in only a few places. However, the tide may be turning. Thanks to the hard work of The Wildlife Trusts and many other organisations, numbers of red squirrels are recovering in many places. One such place is Alverstone Mead on the Isle of Wight. We were very struck by the smaller, daintier beauty of the red squirrels we got to spend time with on our trip to Alverstone Mead and this piece is my dedication to the beauty and character of these fantastic animals.