Paul Cleden

Paul Cleden was born in London, he studied illustration at Maidstone College before working back in London as a freelance illustrator. In 1995 he and his family moved to Dorset where he spent some years teaching printmaking and photography. Paul currently works full time as a printmaker, illustrator and writer. His printmaking work focuses on linocuts, & more recently screenprints, working alongside Penfold Press.

" I love to look at figurative movement; consequently sports are often featured because of the dynamic shapes and action, but equally a crowd of rush hour people leaving a train, people browsing a market or a dance hall crowded with figures are wonderful inspiration.The nature of linocut allows for the use of lovely flowing lines and dramatic overlap of colours which I feel fits very well into the subjects I am drawn to, my linocuts are in the tradition of Lill Tschudi, Sybil Andrews and Cyril Power, and more recently Michael Rothenstein and Edward Bawden amongst others".

Paul has worked with a number of clients including, The National Trust, Bloomsbury Publishers,The RSPB,Wetherspoons, Art Angels Publishing, David Watson Silk and Orford Ottway.

Print Techniques

Paul's lino work uses a multi block reduction method where each colour is cut and printed from a separate piece of Lino. After much planning each colour is transferred to the lino block and then cut out. The whole design is then proofed and a print is created. This can then be used to adjust any problems with the registration and design.

Next using oil based printing inks a final edition is printed. Every print is an original, hand -pulled by the Artist not a mere copy. The final prints are therefore Original Artists Prints.

Paul has been lucky enough to discover and purchase a 130 year old press which has allowed a greater range of sizes to be printed. Each print will take several months to develop, cut and print in an edition of between 40 - 60 depending on the size and variations.