Welcome to the latest addition to our accessible arts project. With some help from designer Jan Lennon we are transforming the original charcoal illustrations from the book into tactile 3d printed versions. Designed to be experienced by touch, they are accompanied by an audio guide and large print so our blind and visually impaired visitors can enjoy the artwork too.

Hunted 3d full print

3d printed version of the cover illustration from Tales in Sombre Tones

Hunted steps detail

Showing the contrasting surface textures applied after printing to enhance the tactile qualities.

Hunted steps and stone

There are steps in the original drawing, this image shows how sand and paint have been mixed to replicate the rough stone texture.

Hunted Barghest detail

The drawing features the barghest, a great black hound whose spectral nature is shown by him fading into the background. In the 3d print, textures have overlapped to describe this effect.

Hunted sky detail

Subtler effects have involved sanding and filling areas, so the sky for example is filled with soft clouds and gentle fog. In the print, it's made smooth to touch with just a slight dimpled texture in lower layers to represent darkness.

Hunted illustration and 3d print

Showing the original charcoal illustration on the left and the 3d printed version on the right.

The 3d prints are made using PLA filament, which is actually a vegetable based plastic, so completely renewable and biodegradable. They are sturdy and easy to clean - PLA is washable and can be used with alcohol based sanitiser ( these and alcohol wipes are being provided with prints for customer use before and after handling). Being able to easily clean the prints is important not only for hygiene purposes but also to keep them dust free and looking good as the day they were made so each print will last for years.

We have chosen to have the prints created in a white filament so that when lit from an angle that compliments the highlights in the original illustrations, they cast dramatic shadows adding visual appeal for those able to appreciate them that way too. These prints bring audiences together as they can be enjoyed by everyone in a way that more delicate works such as the original charcoal drawings cannot, as they have to be presented behind glass.

Subscribe for news

Thanks for submitting!