Anna Tosney
My current work is based on Yorkshire farming scenes. Recently I have also become interested in dry stone walling. All my work starts with observational sketches, drawings and photographs, which I later develop into an image to use on my printmaking plate. I aim to recreate the atmosphere of Yorkshire’s unique scenery and beautiful skies, incorporating the familiar figures of farmers contemplating the countryside or having a friendly chat. The posture of the figures in my prints is an important aspect which I pay particular attention to when working on a design.
The technique I use is a mixture between drypoint and monoprint. Drypoint prints are created by scratching an image directly onto a printmaking plate using special dry point/etching tools. The plate is then inked up and polished. The ink remains in the grooves created by the scratching, but not on the rest of the plate. This image is then printed onto damp printmaking paper through an intaglio press. Later I ink up the plate again and create background colour and atmosphere using various monoprinting techniques. This means that each print is original.
The Ink I use for my work is a relatively new printmaking ink which is soy based. It is non toxic and made with high quality light-fast pigments, It gives a similar result to oil-based inks, but using water as the solvent makes it kinder to the environment.
C.V.
Born in Skipton, North Yorkshire, 1977
Education:
Diploma Art Foundation Studies, Bradford and Ilkley Community College, 1997
BA(Hons) Fine Art Printmaking, University of Wales, Institute, Cardiff, 2000
MA Ceramics, University of Wales, Institute, Cardiff, 2004
Exhibitions
Art in The Pen, Skipton, North Yorkshire, 2007
Kilnsey Show, Kilnsey, North Yorkshire, 2007
Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, 2005
Howard Gardens Gallery, Cardiff, 2004
Howard Gardens Gallery, Cardiff, 2003
Llantranam Grange, Cwmbran, 2000
Cardiff Museum, Cardiff, 2000