How I made this print
I’ve created this woodblock print of a pair of brown hares by individually printing it by hand onto Zerkall paper. My husband Ian drew the design.
I used Japanese tools to carve into a piece of flat, smooth cherry wood to create the printing blocks. I printed from these blocks using water-based pigmented inks. During the printing process, I apply ink to the block, and then lay the paper onto it. I then press on the back of the paper using a Japanese hand-printing press called a baren. The sheet of paper has been printed on several times using different blocks and colours to build up the layers in the print. I decided to print each hare separately for this design so that the ink is darker in the areas where they overlap.
Every print in a batch is made in the same way, but each time the block is inked and pressed slightly differently. This results in a succession of seemingly identical but actually unique prints. Each and every one is an individual, hand crafted and original work of art.
Further Details
The woodblocks for this print have also been used to create other variations from the same blocks but with different colour ways.
I blind print the chop seal for I & C Cameron-Smith in the corner so it appears to be embossed.
Print size is 4″ x 4″ (10.5cm x 10.5cm) approx.
The print comes mounted and ready to frame, with double bevel-cut mount – overall size is 10″ x 10″ (25.5cm x 25.5cm) approx.
I mount the print onto the backing board using photo corners. I also attach an information sheet explaining how the print was made on the reverse.
The print comes packaged in a crystal clear cellophane bag. I send prints in a board-backed envelope by Royal Mail.
