Guliding the plates/ process

I already have my images for the plates through my original investigative drawings and linocuts. So I was able to transfer these images onto the plates via tracing with pencil. I have a large collection of plates so have purposely chosen plates for their design and colour palette and makers marks for the reversed plates.

I found I couldn't directly draw onto the plates with pencil but could transfer the pencil marks via tracing paper.

I painted the glue inside the marks and then applied the gold leaf. I found that I needed to give the glue overnight drying time for best effect before removing the excess gold leaf with a soft brush.

I put the leaf on in a few layers, I wanted to achieved a more weathered/ antique look rather than a perfect flat shiny look. I wanted it to be in keeping with the age if the plates. Though obviously not an image you'd expect to find on cake plates I still want the illusion that the image has aged with the object.

Detail of leaf application, also placement of design to reveal the beautiful makers marks on the China.

Detail of tracing process.

Detailed of leaf application before excess gold is removed. 

The worker ant series, all on the back of the plates, I purposely exposed the makers marks on the plates which I find really interesting in themselves to add another layer of representation the hidden labour, the back stage to Byron's Rock n roll lifestyle 

Close up of front of ant.

Close up of back of ant.

Ant body in full.

I'm happy with the Byron face, taken from the progress of my original drawing to the lino print I made and then traced that image onto my plate. It's a bit like a commemorative plate, and has a pop art/ music poster art about it which is how I wanted to represent him as being this hedonistic, rock and roll type character.

 

I'm pleased also with this image of Caroline Lamb, this is a more traditional outline. Taken from my original drawing of the bust in the Abbey, its more in keeping with the historical aspects of the house and femininity. It's the second plate I made as the first one I was not happy with the outline and felt 8t lacked definition. This one is much more delicate and shows more feature than the first silhouette 

The design for this was taken straight from a photograph I took of a detail from a suit of 

Armour at the Abbey. I like the idea of it bringing in the religious/ soldier/ war aspect but the design needs tweaking as its not symmetrical and looks a bit slap dash.

This is the series of plates I have so far. I'm really happy with the look of the three ant designs, one full and two a little closer up intended to look like they are crawling over the plates.
I'm not really happy with the kingdom of heaven plate as discussed so I've done a few designs. I'm waiting on the glue to dry. 
I'm happy with the Byron face, it's a bit like a commemorative plate, and has a pop art/ music poster art about it which is how I wanted to represent him as being this hedonistic,Rock and roll type character.