This is an original collagraph print made from a combination of my photo of Vernacher Loch in the Trossachs placed as textures of the trees and the loch within in the form of a rutting stag. These beasts naturally inhabit both the Highlands and the North Lowlands of Scotland. We were there in 2017 visiting friends when we went to Vernacher Loch for a walk and a lochside supper when I took the photo; such a serene and beautiful location.
My walk today was bright and dry and full of birdsong. The usual suspects showed up robins, blackbird, blue and coal tits.
Blue Tit – © Diane Young
Along with crows and wood pigeon, and a crow’s encounter with a low flying buzzard dipping sideways to shake the crow off his tail. Our local canal has a resident heron who is very used to people walking the tow path; he continued his fishing activities unfazed in this morning’s sunshine.
One of my favourite bird calls is that of the Goldcrest. They are very small, our smallest european bird, and usually situated very high up in conifer trees. You might see them from below if you are lucky, but then only their olive coloured underside, and unless you learn their call you would not know that they were there at all. Their call is high pitched, jingling sound, listen here to find out what it sounds like…..
https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/goldcrest/
The goldcrest is a tiny cute little bird that looks slightly glum don’t you think?
It is coincidental that a printmaker’s single colour choice is often prussian blue and that this happens to be one of my favourite painting colours. Keeping the inks simple is best for me at the moment whilst trying to get the shade via the texture right, as well as the consistency of the ink, the paper and the press! Prussian blue’s history is extremely varied; if you are mad about colour history there is plenty of very interesting facts about Prussian Blue here.
