Norman Ackroyd (Printmaking)

Having only recently delved into the world of printmaking, one thing that has immediately jumped out at me is the sheer diversity of art that it can produce.  From simple geometric shapes and designs, to intensely detailed landscapes.  In the following weeks, I'll look at some artists who peak my interest in printmaking and try to explain why.

The first of these artists is Norman Ackroyd.  Ackroyd is known for his landscapes, utilising both monoprinting, etching and water colours.  Born in Leeds 1938, Ackroyd studied at the Royal College of Art in London before working in both the US and UK.  He spent a great deal of his life teaching, taking a particular focus in etching.


From Malin Head, Tory Island (2009)(displayed above) is one of his prints that I personally find the most appealing.  Done using a combination of monoprinting and etching, the landscape shows Tory Island on a overcast day.  I love the atmosphere of this print.  The use of light on the water really makes me think of a calm day by the ocean.  Light reflecting of the waves feels so real, and from a distance, this image could easily be confused for a black and white photo.  The etching allows for fine detail, such as the shape of the island and detailed pattern of the waves.

January Sunrise, Ludlow, Dinham Weir (2003) is another example of incredible detail, which I honestly did not believe could be reached with printmaking as a medium.  A beautiful depiction of a Welsh morning, this image shows a beautiful attention to detail.  Again, using etching, Ackroyd really displays a true understanding for his craft.  Although personally I prefer the atmosphere of Tory Island, the detail in this is astounding.

Ackroyd's work is what I expected printmaking to be, although to an incredibly detailed and skilled level.  He shows a true mastery of his craft, and his attention to detail is so accurate, I honestly thought most of his work was photography.

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