How I made this print
I’ve created this woodblock print “Hare Lines” by individually printing it by hand onto Zerkall paper. It’s a design drawn by my husband Ian.
I used Japanese tools to carve into a piece of flat, smooth cherry wood to create the printing block. I printed from the block 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. This version of Ian’s drawing shows the design is its purest form, with only the fine “key” or line block used to create the delicate outlines of the pair of hares.
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 of hares have also been used to create several coloured variations from the same blocks. If you love hares, see also Brown Hares, Hare and Hare Alike, and Blue Hares in a Winter Moon.
When the print is finished, 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.
