Sam Marshall

I began print-making over 15 years ago – originally training at the Slade School of Fine Art and completing my studies at the Royal Drawing School with an MA diploma in drawing.  I originate from the flat fens of Lincolnshire where my Dad was a cabbage farmer. Having lived in London for over 20 years I recently relocated to rural Northamptonshire with Miss Marple my mini dachshund where I now concentrate on my printmaking and run print workshops.When I’m not in my studio,  I teach printmaking at the Royal Drawing School and on their foundation programme.

Drawing is at the foundation of all my work; it’s how I figure things out and ideas begin to form. I start my process by walking and drawing from my local landscape, I then return to my studio where I edit my sketches – adding in animals and other characters from my imagination. My inspiration comes from many sources – medieval margins and bestiaries, animal prints from the 1800’s, folk art, old children’s books, and real life animals that have something of the unusual about them.

My work is influenced by the British aesthetic of artists such as Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Thomas Bewick. I also love the work of the 19th century Ceramist William De Morgan – particularly his fantastical animals and birds

For many years my work was etching based but recently I’ve been working predominately with linocut enjoying the graphic quality of the line and the colour possibilities that comes with working with multiple blocks. For me nothing beats peeling back the print to reveal your new image and seeing the potential of what you have in front of you. My linocuts are printed in my studio in small editions, meaning every print is unique.