Bill Sienkiewicz was always our first port of call for an image to define the personal poems of Neil Gaiman. His mark making and his history with Neil made him a perfect choice for a print that would be the plate that we use then reproduce throughout the different editions. We discussed the idea of an image that would encapsulate the poems of Neil’s as a flowing of creative personal release of poetic expression. Bill’s idea of a release of creativity with a figure that was reaching and letting go into the abstract became the theme he followed.
He began as a series of line works, then he explored the use of colour. He was always aware that this was to be a silk screen print, he had access to any colour that would be printed in layers as flat colour as opposed to a litho four colour process reproduction of a painting. He ended up using five different colours. I love the way that his art now included a Fine Edition Print! The image only came together after all the colours were printed, I find it extraordinary how Bill can imagine how each layer, and the order of printing of those layers, can make a print that only comes to life after it is printed!
Here are some of his process works, from the first idea set in black and white line work to the exploration of colour pallets, to the final print. Each layer was made in black shapes. Each layer had a different specific colour. The final print has all these ideas combined! Stunning little image, each print felt like an original art work. Thanks Bill! You really did step up to the challenge.
All the prints were done over a week at Jealous Studios London.
