Softly Soughing Autumn Drypoint etching prints

 

Plate and prints of Softly Soughing  ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Another small drypoint etching, a little different, a little bit closer this time. I was attracted to the almost 'impossible' bend in this trunk. I wonder what made it grow this way. As you can see there is a bit more variety in the depth of marks that have been made in this aluminium plate. 

Softly Soughing   drypoint etching 8x7.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Then just because a third one for the series - 'Autumn'.  Again this started as a little two minute sketch in a scrap paper accordion pocketbook. I keep meaning to have a go at taking the metal plate out with me and working directly, scratching the marks in situ. One day I will remember...

Autumn   sketch and aluminium drypoint plate   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Autumn   drypoint etching 8x15cm   ©2026Lisa Le Quelenec

I love this colour combination of Caligo's Yellow Ochre and Charbonnel's Soft Black. The black can be so delicate and smokey. Perfect for Autumn's forest mist I think.

Prints from both editions can be found in my Folksy Store.

Prints available at Seaside Studios UK at Folksy.com ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

'Wild is the music of the autumnal wind

Amongst the faded wood.'

- Wordsworth

Saffron Susurrus - autumnal birch tree drypoint etching

 

Saffron Susurrus   drypoint 7.5x8cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

The start of a new series.....this print began with the thumbnail sketch below....

Birch tree thumbnail sketch ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Which I used as a starting point to scribe onto an aluminium plate....which I inked up....

Drypoint plate for Saffron Susurrus inked ready for the press ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

...and ran through the etching press...

Saffron Susurrus   drypoint 7.5x8cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

...to make this print.....

Saffron Susurrus   drypoints 7.5x8cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

....then I inked and printed some more. There will be an edition of ten with two artist proof test prints and each one is inked slightly differently because I am a human and not a machine ;o)

Prints are available in my Folksy store here.

©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Pocket book - thumbnail sketches of trees

 

Pocket book thumbnails - mostly birch trees   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

October feels like the month for trees and storms to me - this year has been hard for local trees as it has been so dry, many have looked stressed. The last few weeks have seen rain and a bit of a recovery and I am wondering what Autumn will bring. So far it is still warm and my garden has started flowering again so who knows. 

The above thumbnails are taken from my pocket book and quickly sketched whilst out walking. They are around 4cm square mostly and no more than a quickly scribbled note. (Pocket book is a bit of a lofty name for what is essentially left over bits of paper folded into concertinas but it sounds much better than paper leftovers. Waste not want not, I can't let good paper go to waste.)

I am going to try to translate these notes along with the memories of familiarity of the places into some drypoint etchings. I hope I can keep the sketchiness and atmosphere of the thumbnails and not overwork the prints. I don't want to be too literal....we will see how that goes. 

Coastal Collection Tea towels, journals and card calendars now available at Spoonflower and RedBubble

 

Coastal Collection Tea Towel Calendars 2027   available at Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

I am busy working away on my 2027 tea towel calendars designs for Spoonflower. I have updated my bestselling seahorse design from last year for 2027. I have a new design based on this year's Bold & Bright Collections (featuring more seahorses) and am just nearing the final stage of a new sea shell design (without seahorses ;o) ) based on the motifs from the Salt Water Shallows Collection. All the fabric, wallpaper and soft furnishings collections can be viewed on the link.

Measuring 40x61cm (16x24inch) in a cotton/linen mix with a thread count of 150, they have a folded hem and a hang tab on the reverse. They make a great gift for the hosts, hostesses, foodies and kitchen queens or a practical and useful gift for yourself.

Bold & Bright Collection Tea Towel Calendars 2027
available at Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Soft & Soothing Collection Tea Towel Calendars 2027
available at Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

If stationery is more your thing I also have all these designs at RedBubble available as cards, notebooks, stickers and magnets (useful for fridges and magnetic whiteboards).

Seahorse Navy 2027 Calendar Journal available from RedBubble ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Drawings for August and September

 

Life is good but life is busy....what a summer! It has gone by in a flash - a very hot flash at that - those temperatures were high. I have done my drawings but didn't get around to posting them again so here are two for August and September. My blog posts seem to be turning up like busses don't they ;o)

Nasturtiums   pencil and ink sketchbook   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec 

I grew nasturtiums this year in my veggie beds and found all the black fly went to the flowers and left the veggies alone so I will definitely be doing that again next year. This drawing was done before they arrived and inspired by the vivid colours I added a tiny amount of red.

Fern   pencil and ink sketchbook   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec 

My drawing for September is another from my garden. I found this lovely specimen growing behind the water butt. It must have survived because of the shade cast and the leak the butt had sprung otherwise I think it would have burnt to a crisp.   

I did find a couple more leaves that weren't in such good condition but they were perfect for inking up and taking some prints from. These lovely shapes will be something I come back to at a later date methinks.

fern prints in my nature sketchbook   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec 

Walking the Dogs - lino monoprints

Charlie   lino monoprint 25x15cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Charlie is a greyhound that I see regularly when I am walking my trusty studio assistant. He is quite the character, shy when spoken to directly, loving and sweet natured but rather vocal in his requests to play which for some is a little off putting. His long limbed elegance makes him an endearing model.

Jim   lino monoprint 25x15cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Jim the German Shepherd, friendly and floofy with an easy going smile and kind eyes. Likes scritches, gravy bones and snoozing in the sun.

Cleo, a lovely pup, full of lively puppy energy and rather ball obsessed. You'd never be able to forget 'arm day' with this doggo as every day is an endurance test of ball games.

All three of these delightful doggos are available in my Folksy store .

2026 drawing project - plant forms for June and July

 

I seem to be experiencing some gremlins within my blog. For reasons that remain a mystery this post didn't publish last month and I seem to be unable to comment on mine or anyone else's blog. I haven't the foggiest why but hope it resolves itself soon. Fingers crossed that this post publishes....

This is the missing drawing from June for my drawing a month project. The same model as March's drawing but this time a top view.

Pine cone top view   sketchbook study in stages   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

My drawing for July is below. Dandelions begun in Spring but only recently completed. The meadows were full of lush grass and dandelions back then - a very different story to now as everything is burnt, dry and dusty with the rather repetitive heatwaves.

Dandelion study   sketchbook page   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

How beautiful was this? I couldn't fail to be inspired...

Dog Walks - sketchbook pages

 

Dog Walks I   sketchbook pages   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Collage pages from my pocketbook, quick sketches from the dog walks. Prints to follow...

Dog Walks II   sketchbook pages   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

You can't stop the tide - mixed media

 

You can't stop the Tide I   mixed media on paper 14x14cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

You can't stop the Tide II   mixed media on paper 14x14cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

You can't stop the Tide III   mixed media on paper 14x14cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

These three pieces started as collagraphs made a while back but there was something not quite finished about them so they were set aside. I recently discovered them again hidden in a folder and thought the time was right to revisit them. Adding mixed media to adjust tones and variating the spray splashing over the groyne has made a small sequence that I am much happier with. Over the years I must have spent hours watching and waiting for the perfect splash of sea spray and with these three pieces finished I feel the time was well spent, just like the time they spent waiting for their moment in the folder.

Available in my Folksy Store.

2026 Drawing project - Mrs Willmott's Ghost

 

Mrs Willmott's Ghost   sketchbook page coloured pencil and ink    ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Eryngium giganteum, with the common name Miss Willmott's Ghost, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. The short-lived herbaceous perennial thistle is native to the Caucasus and Iran in Western Asia.

Source: Wikipedia

Named after Ellen Willmott (1858 - 1934) who liked to secretly scatter seed, maybe the first guerrilla gardener, she certainly seemed like a character with an interesting life and a passion for horticulture.

I love this plant for it's barely there colour, almost luminescent tones, which makes a strong contrast against other plants. The specimens that I have drawn here were grown in my garden last summer and have dried to a hint of cream in colour. I am looking forward to seeing it again this year.

Mrs Willmott's Ghost (detail)   sketchbook page coloured pencil and ink    ©2026LisaLeQuelenec