How I made this print
I’ve created this woodblock print of a sea holly flowerhead by individually printing it by hand onto Zerkall paper. It’s based on a photo I took of the thistle-type flowerhead from a specimen of eryngium, commonly called sea holly.
I used Japanese tools to carve into a piece of flat, smooth wood to create the printing block. I printed from this block using water-based pigmented ink. 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 with only black for this version of the design to create dramatic image.
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
This woodblock print of sea holly is also available in a colour version, eryngium. There are other monochrome prints such as egret, oyster catchers or Team BG if you like black and white prints.
When the print is finished, I blind print my chop seal in the corner so it appears to be embossed.
Print size is 3.5″ x 3.5″ (9cm x 9cm) 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.