Printmaking Documentary: Tom Hammick – Emotional Monotypes and the Power of Process

In 2014, I was commissioned by Northern Print to create a series of short artist films for their Glossary exhibition, a project celebrating the diversity of contemporary printmaking. This printmaking documentary focuses on painter and printmaker Tom Hammick, known for his emotive, dreamlike imagery and his deep connection to process.

Filmed in his studio, this short captures Hammick creating a series of expressive monotypes—single-edition prints made by painting directly onto a wooden plate, then transferring the image through a press onto damp paper. It’s a hands-on, intuitive technique that he embraces for its energy, unpredictability, and painterly quality.

“I love printmaking for lots of reasons. I love the smells. I’ve always been intoxicated by the studio and all the kit.”

Using flat brushes, rollers, and sometimes drypoint tools, Hammick builds up gestural layers of colour and texture. The prints, informed by metaphor and emotion, are fresh, open, and never overworked. He often turns to printmaking when his painting feels stuck—and the two mediums feed each other.

“Painting gets very, very lonely. But printmaking is collaborative. When I’m stuck, I go into print.”

The physicality and immediacy of print are central to Hammick’s process. The film documents his engagement with the press—its force, rhythm, and ritual—and the marks left by woodgrain, ink, and pressure. For Hammick, the results are always a little uncertain, and that’s part of the magic.

“You’re never quite sure where the ink is going to go. That relieves the pressure. It gets less precious.”

He speaks with warmth and humour about the tools he uses—delicate roulettes, drypoint needles, even his fingers. He likens drypoint to drawing and enjoys the unpredictability of the process.

“Drypoint is such a gorgeous medium. I drew them last night, printed them today. Everything’s slightly out of control—which I like.”

There’s also a strong emotional pull. For Hammick, making prints is a necessity. The physical act, the sound and feel of the tools, the community of the studio—all of it keeps him grounded and creatively connected.

“If printmaking’s not there, I feel less of an artist. It’s part of my vocabulary. I get edgy when I’m not making them.”

This film was part of Glossary, a 2014 group exhibition hosted by Northern Print in Newcastle upon Tyne. The exhibition showcased the breadth of printmaking in the UK through works by leading artists, live demonstrations, talks, and public workshops. It aimed to demystify the process and celebrate print as a vital, evolving artform.

Northern Print continues to support a vibrant community of printmakers through exhibitions, education, and access to professional studio facilities. These films were made to give insight into the processes and people behind the prints—offering a quiet, observational portrait of each artist at work.

I filmed this documentary using a Panasonic AF101 and GH2, compact micro four-thirds cameras that allowed me to work unobtrusively in natural light. My goal was to create an honest, immersive record of Hammick’s process without interrupting his flow. You’ll hear the squeak of rollers, the hiss of ink, the thunk of the press—all part of the texture of making.

This artist film is not just about technique—it’s about rhythm, feeling, and the quiet compulsion to create. Hammick doesn’t intellectualise his work. He’s open, generous, and deeply connected to the act of making.

“I make prints because I have to. It’s a feeling in my solar plexus.”

If you enjoy this film, please consider liking, commenting, and sharing. You can find more of my artist documentaries below.

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🎥 Watch more artist films:
https://alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-vide...

🌐 More about Northern Print:
https://northernprint.org.uk/

📍 Filmed and edited by:
Alan Fentiman – https://alanfentiman.co.uk