"so is hope"

©2020 Barry Smith - Section of a poster on hope

There have been many steps in the creation of this poster - much waiting for ink to dry and for paper to flatten; but today we got to print the words - "fear is real ... so is hope".

This poster was created to reflect what a lot of us feel at the moment - fear; and yet we need to balance that deep and at times dark fear with the bright light and promise of hope. It also reflects words or encouragement stencilled on a crumbling distressed urban wall.

Yesterday, with Fiona's help, I chose and set the type for the words. We chose letters from the wood type draws we refer to as our random and orphan letters - not a full set of any font. We chose to use these because we wanted the words "fear is real" to be like a ransom note - sister overtones. We chose to use the large Italian type for the word "hope" so that it would dominate and be strong.

The typewas set on the bed of the larger proofing press and the letters were held in place with strong magnets. It was left yesterday because there was not the time to print.

©2020 Barry Smith - Testing various fonts

©2020 Barry Smith - Couple of trays of wooden type to chose from

©2020 Barry Smith - Final choice set on the proofing press bed - ready for ink

Today I printed - whilst I say I it really is about we. I chose the colours; but when printing an A3 poster with lots of ink and pressure it does require a couple of sets of hands. After a few proofing runs we were ready to print.

©2020 Barry Smith - Proofing on plain paper - you can see the r and i need to be built up

©2020 Barry Smith - Testing how it would print on canvass

I was hoping for three quality prints on the five collagraphs I had printed; and in the end we got 4 really good prints and one good one - not bad given I was using large type and the fact that the Italian type is higher than the other wood type.

©2020 Barry Smith - I was pleased with this outcome

©2020 Barry Smith - A table of prints and proofs

©2020 Barry Smith - Series of five posters

©2020 Barry Smith - Detail - fear

©2020 Barry Smith - Detail - hope - love that burnished gold ink!!!

The posters will now dry for a few more days before being put under weights again. The will be marked with the Deckled Edge Press chop and editions as these posters will be for sale. Though I suspect a couple of the proofs will be gifted.