How I made this print
I’ve created this monochrome (almost!) linocut print of oyster catchers in flight by individually printing it by hand onto Zerkall paper. It’s based on a selection of photos I took of oyster catchers on Hebridean beaches. I used Japanese tools to carve into sheets of vinyl to create the printing blocks. Once the blocks were carved, I printed each colour from the blocks using water-based pigment inks. During the printing process, I apply ink to a block, and then lay the paper onto the block. I then press on the back of it using a Japanese hand-printing press called a baren. There’s a different block for each colour in the design. It might seem there’s only one for black, but there’s also a separate block for the (tiny!) orange beaks.
Every print in a batch is made in the same way, but each time the blocks are 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
This “Oyster Catchers” monochrome linocut print design is also available in versions with either a pale blue or darker blue background. If you’re a fan of monochrome designs, take a look at Team BG or the Egret.
I blind print my chop seal in the corner so it appears to be embossed.
Print size is 8″ x 3.5″ (21.5cm x 8.5cm) approx.
The print comes mounted and ready to frame, with bevel-cut mount – overall size is 12″ x 7″ (31cm x 18cm) approx.
I float mount the torn-edge print onto the black mountboard with 3M spraymount. 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.
