Michael Bond

My work is my own interpretation and impression of a particular location. I derive subject matter mainly from the United Kingdom and my continuing travels in Europe. The topics, which are often architectural, may not be new or even topographically correct, but I strive to obtain a fresh concept and spontaneity in the pictorial aspect of my work. My chosen medium in printmaking is the metal plate. I specialize in etching, drypoint, aquatint and mezzotint. I often use a combination of all of these techniques on the same plate. Due to the indirect nature of printmaking, I do many preliminary drawings concentrating on the design, tone and draughtsmanship of the proposed print. Only then do I begin to work on the plate itself. I first created pure line etchings from zinc plates and was greatly influenced by Seymour Hayden and James McNeill Whistler. I gradually introduced aquatint into my work and continued in this way for several years. I then became fascinated with the drypoint work of Muirhead Bone and Martin Lewis and have spent several years working on this difficult technique. My current images are predominantly drypoints that start with a tonal layer of aquatint and are further enhanced by the subtle use of a roulette and mezzotint rocker. I work on both zinc and copper plates. My ultimate aim is the print. This concept is fully expressed only when the image is transferred from the plate onto paper. I print all of my own work, favoring the use of sepia, browns, blue and black inks applied and blended on one plate, by hand (a la poupee), as I feel that this enhances the uniqueness of each proof.