A new series of linocut prints inspired by this summer's trips to the Yorkshire Dales

At times like these I need to hang onto memories of walking in our beautiful countryside on long summer days.

Between lockdown one and two, many of my trips have been over to the Yorkshire Dales to find inspiration. OK, I enjoyed myself too, with lots of walking and cycling. The perk of the job!

As well as throwing my boots and bike in the car for day trips from York I also spend a fabulous week in the Yorkshire Dales with my mum and dad. My treat to them, a little cottage near Settle. Read more about that and see lots of photos in these blogs.

Summer’s walking and cycling in the Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire Dales - A walking holiday in limestone countryside

I even went on a brilliant 2-day navigation course with Where2Walk. No excuse for getting lost anymore!

I’ve always loved the Yorkshire Dales for it’s ruggedness and wide open spaces. Being more immersed in the landscape I’ve enjoyed learning more about it’s geology too. This year it captured my heart more than ever.

With the inspiration fresh in my mind I’ve created a series of three new Yorkshire Dales linocut prints, Ingleborough, Kettlewell and Littondale. I have quite a few others I’d like to do!

Some are multi-block prints. This is where I’ve carved a serepate lino black for each colour to be printed. You'll notice I’ve gone for a slightly looser and more sketchy style for these. It felt like the right thing to reflect the ruggedness of the landscape.

The others are part of my mini series. These are one colour prints. They’re quicker and fun to make. Less planning goes into them than the multi-block prints. They really hurt my head sometimes and don’t always go to plan. Also if I make a mistake carving them or don’t like the finished result it’s not quite the distar as working on a new design for over 3 days.

'Littondale', Yorkshire Dales linocut print

The inspiration for this print came from walking from Arncliffe to Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The view is looking towards Arncliffe in Littondale. In the print the Cowside Beck flows between West Moor and Yew Cogar Scar. The road climbs steeply up towards Malham Tarn and has spectacular views of the Yorkshire limestone crags of Yew Cogar Scar. This is one of my favourite cycling roads in the Yorkshire Dales.

The design is a 4 colour multi-block linocut print. This is how I made it.

Limited edition linocut print. Edition of 60. Available in three colourways.

Image size 160 x 160mm. Mount outer 305 x 305mm

See Littondale in my online shop or get in touch to order.

'Ingleborough', Yorkshire Dales linocut print

The inspiration for this print came from walking from Ingleton up to Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ingleborough is one of the Yorkshire 3 peaks.

The view is of the footpath that leads past Crina Bottom farm and up to the peak of Ingleborough. I love the texture of the millstone grit. At the top, I had panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Whernside, Pen-y-ghent and Morecambe Bay.

Limited edition linocut print. Edition of 60. Available in three colourways.

Image size 160 x 160mm. Mount outer 305 x 305mm.

See Ingleborough in my online shop or get in touch to order.

'Kettlewell', Yorkshire Dales linocut print

The view is of Upper Wharfedale, looking towards Starbotton from Kettlewell. It's inspired by a walk I did in August from Kettlewell over to Arncliffe.

Limited edition linocut print. Edition of 60. Available in three colourways.

Image size 160 x 160mm. Mount outer 305 x 305mm.

See Kettlewell in my online shop or get in touch to order.

Yorkshire Three Peaks linocut prints

The Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside are part of the Pennine range in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They are best known for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. The 24 miles walking route is usually completed in under 12 hours.

Available as a set of three prints or individually.

See Yorkshire Three Peaks, set of 3 linocut prints A or get in touch to order.

Yorkshire Dales mini-series

A mini-series of Yorkshire Dales original linocut prints. Each print has been inspired by walking and cycling there.

Each fits into most standard 5 x 7" (13cm x 18cm) picture frames with or without a 4 x 6" (10cm x 15cm) aperture mount. Available in green, slate blue and black.

See my online shop or get in touch to order.

Let me know what you think...

I always love to hear your feedback on new designs. Especially in these uncertain times. Please do comment below.

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Michelle

About the author

Michelle Hughes is a North Yorkshire landscape artist. Much of her work depicts the Yorkshire landscape and Yorkshire coast, including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Michelle loves exploring the British countryside by bike or on foot, camera in hand, capturing ideas for her next linocut prints. Back in her garden studio, Michelle creates simple but stylised silhouettes based on her photographs, and hand carves these shapes into lino. She hand prints with an etching press, using oil-based inks to create tonal blocks of colour.

Michelle’s original linocut prints are limited editions.