How I made this print
I’ve created this woodblock print of an eryngium by individually printing it by hand onto Japanese Kanoko paper. It’s based on a photo I took of the thistle-type flowerhead from a specimen of eryngium, also known as sea holly.
I used Japanese tools to carve into a piece of flat, smooth wood to create the printing block. I printed each colour from this block using water-based pigmented inks and a series of stencils. 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 many times with various colours to build up the layers and achieve the depth of colour in the final 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 eryngium is one of several featuring flowers. If you like this one, have a look at others, such as olearia semidentata, wisteria, irises, or blossoming plum. There’s also a monochrome version of this design, Sea Holly, if you like black and white images.
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.
