Description

I have focused on the linked but opposing motifs of the dark raven and the crabbing sun. My aim was to create an image of abstracted, symbolic realism. Particular words and phrases were selected and interpreted from Thomas’ poem. Looking south over the sea from Swansea, an “October wind” would probably be an easterly one and therefore my composition needed to lead the eye mainly from left to right. I then combined his imagery of “the dark-vowelled birds” and “a shadow crab” to produce a pair of ravens’ heads which can alsobe read as crab claws. En route, I consulted visual references andmade numerous small-scale sketches. Many of my drawings were linear in order to establish the overall composition and the relativescale and balance of visual elements. In the final analysis therefore, Thomas’ poem has to drop away and the print has to work as an object in its own right and as an expression of my own ideas and feelings.

The compositional outlines were etched into the plate, followed by various areas and intensities of aquatint. Also, a certain amount of burnishing was applied to the reflection of the low sun and wo birds. Several states of the plate were printed.