I have recently been working on a new series of prints featuring the middle English masterpiece Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. I am pleased to reveal the first pressings of a new print, The Journey of Sir Gawain, depicting the hero of the story setting out on his lonely quest in search of the Green Chapel, the home of his nemesis.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - a deadly journey by a young knight who must repay his dues
In the poem, Sir Gawain cuts off the head of the Green Knight in response to a gruesome challenge issued by the latter following King Arthur's desire for entertainment at his Christmas court at Camelot.
Unfortunately for Gawain, the Green Knight then picks up his head and says before the whole court that Gawain must find in him in a year's time so that the Green Knight can repay the favour.
If he follows the road to the Green Chapel, Gawain will not fail to find him, says the Green Knight; on All Soul's Day the following year, Gawain sets out on his journey of woe and inevitable death.
This new print shows Gawain on the first day of his journey; the autumnal colours representing the season and also the potential autumn of Gawain's young life. Below I show you how the print was made.
I particularly wanted to create an image in the semi-naive style of medieval illuminators; this is why, in particular, the horse has an almost unnatural gait, seemingly floating in its surroundings. I'm delighted with how it has turned out.
The Journey of Sir Gawain - the making of a four colour linocut print
As the process might suggest, a four colour print requires four different plates.
In this case, I have three main backing colours (yellow; red; blue) and a key block in a final colour (autumnal brown) to draw the composition together.
Each plate has to be meticulously cut by hand, thinking backwards all the time as to how and where the colours will show on the final print.
A particular focus for the artist is to think of those areas of the final print where the colours will either be true to themselves or will mix with the other colours to create tonal variations.
The Journey of Sir Gawain - each colour laid down
The gallery below shows each of the four colours as they appear overlapping each other during the process. It is always enjoyable to see the impact each layer makes on the other. The final key block moment is always the best - if it works....
Only five of the ten prints which emerged were successful. Each is different; after selecting one for myself (the 'artist's proof' or A/P) a "variable edition" (VE) of four is available for customers.
The final edition of The Journey of Sir Gawain linocut print
The nature of linocut work, especially one of such complety as this, is that each print will look different, evoking different feelings in the mind of the owner/collector.
Each print carries the number in the edition (e.g. 2/4), the title ("The Journey of Sir Gawain") and is signed and dated by me. These are all hand-produced original prints, with each layer individually inked and pressed by hand on a Victorian Albion press - no modern process has been involved in their making.
For those who admire this magnificent medieval romance, this print will make an ideal accompaniment to my earlier print of The Green Knight in the Woods.
Order a signed, dedicated copy of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Michael Smith's illustrated translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was published by Unbound in 2018.
Richly illustrated throughout with Michael's own linocut prints, the book also includes an historical introduction, chapters on the possible identification of Hautdesert and the location of the Green Chapel, as well as a detailed glossary on the armour and characters in the poem and notes to explain some of the topics raised by the narrative.
Copies of the book are available through all good bookshops online or direct from the author, with a personal dedication.
"This book is a beautiful artefact in its own right ... a total Gawain experience for the contemporary reader" Shiny New Books
About the author, Michael Smith
Michael Smith is a translator and illustrator of medieval literature; he is also an accomplished printmaker, whose work is in private collections worldwide.
His books, including a translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Alliterative Morte Arthure, are available through all the usual outlets. His forthcoming translation of The Romance of William and the Werewolf publishes on 19th December, 2024. All Michael's books feature his linocut prints as their illustrations.
For more details of Michael's books and how to purchase signed copies, click here.
Comments