HANNAH SHEPHEARD

Exploring nature, pattern & memories.

Hi!

I’m Hannah, an artist making linocut prints and more from my home studio in Kent.

I spent my childhood surrounded by art and nature, with my father’s love of art leading us to galleries and exhibitions, and my mothers love of plants taking us to country houses and gardens. With these loves it surprised very few when I travelled to the beautiful seaside town of Aberystwyth in Wales to gain my degree in Fine Art & Art History. Here I discovered the world of print, with etchings and linocuts becoming my favourite mediums. Following my degree I chose to continue studying, gaining my Masters in Printmaking at the University of Arts London, in Camberwell.

I returned back to Kent after my studies (and a few years extra in London), settling into a new home, raising a family, and embarking on a creative career from my garden studio.

How is a Linocut Made?

Linocut is a relief printmaking technique similar to woodcut, where a block of linoleum has a design carved in to its surface using sharp tools called gauges.

A thin layer of thick ink is rolled over the remaining surface, on to which paper is then placed, pressure is applied and the ink is transferred from the face of the lino block on to the paper in reverse. Any areas carved away do not hold the ink and therefore do not print.

Carving a piece of lino

Carving a piece of lino

Rolling out relief printing ink to then roll on to the carved block

Rolling out relief printing ink to then roll on to the carved block

Applying pressure to the back of the paper which is placed over the inked lino

Applying pressure to the back of the paper which is placed over the inked lino

Peel back to reveal your print

Peel back to reveal your print

There are different types of lino

There are different types of lino

Each has slightly different qualities

Each has slightly different qualities

Inks can be mixed to create a huge array of colours

Inks can be mixed to create a huge array of colours

Various methods can be used to print multiple colours - here the block has been carved up like a jigsaw, inked, and then reassembled ready to print

Various methods can be used to print multiple colours - here the block has been carved up like a jigsaw, inked, and then reassembled ready to print

Carving tools come with 'V' and 'U' shaped gauges in a variety of sizes

Carving tools come with 'V' and 'U' shaped gauges in a variety of sizes

Commissions

Alongside my own creative designs, I also take on commissions for clients looking for personal and bespoke artworks to connect with in their homes.

House Portraits

My commissions have taken many forms but one of my most frequent requests is for house portraits. Clients want to capture the essence of their homes, whether they are their first, their current family home, or where they were brought up. The bespoke nature of these prints also means that specific features and details can be taken out as well as added in.

Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about the commission process.