E-mail - contactme@martinroseillustration.com
Studio Address -
Martin Rose Illustration, Studio 4, First Floor,
Pearl Assurance House, 1-3 Horse Fair
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
WF8 1PE
Martin Rose — Illustrator, RISO Printer & Linocut Artist
Based in West Yorkshire
Commissioned illustration, editorial art, and original prints combining RISO printing, linocut, alcohol ink and sumi-e techniques. Available for private tuition and workshops across Yorkshire.
'While I breath, I hope'
A solo exhibition, inspired by the rich history and legends of Pontefract Castle.
Pontefract Castle - only a few minutes walk from my studio in Pontefract.
I had seen the various artwork on display over the course of a few months and considered that I would like to create a body of work, inspired by the castle, its history and legends. I applied to display my work, which took almost a year before I was interviewed. I was told I could exhibit, but that there was a further waiting list.
I didn't mind, it was the time I needed to create the work. I spent the next 10 months, visiting, spending time at the castle. I took in the flora and fauna, the historic and war-damaged remaining stonework of the castle walls.
During this time, I learned of Captain Robert Brier, a Parliamentarian (Roundhead) who was captured and imprisoned during the siege of 1645. He was bailed after, but refused to return to prison. His name is engraved in the castle dungeons. I took a graphite rubbing of this, and the idea for my book - 'Briar's Curse' took shape.
'Briar's Curse' is also the name of my alcohol-ink painting, hung next to the first chapter of my book. It features an ethereal dragon, coiled around a large, enchanted sword. The frame itself was taken from a 1970s mirror that I was given (without the glass). I hand-carved the frame in dragon-scales, painted them in a blend of alcohol inks. These glint and shine in natural light beautifully. Inside each carved line, I hand-painted glow in the dark ink. The entire frame is double coated in clear, tough yacht varnish, which also reduces the glare of the glow enough for it to feel more like a hum of power than a beacon shining into the dark.
My most challenging and technical piece is the A3 sized 13 layer, 9 colour riso print. This took me weeks to create, plan and execute on my own vintage risograph - an RZ370EP which lives happily in my studio. There are only 20 in this closed edition. It is extremely exclusive, hand signed, numbered, dated. All artwork displayed is for sale and includes a VAA (Visual Artists Association) Certificate of Authenticity.
Entry to Pontefract Castle is free, as is access to my exhibition, which hangs in the gallery space near to the gift shop. It is on display October - December 2026. Pontefract Castle is now running on Winter opening times, please check it is open before your visit.