How I made this print
I’ve created this woodblock print of an olearia semidentata flower by individually printing it by hand onto Japanese Kanoko paper. It’s based on a photo of a flower from a type of daisy tree that I took on Skye. The tree is indigenous to New Zealand, and was an unusual tree to see in a garden on a Scottish island.
I used Japanese tools to carve into pieces of flat, smooth wood to create the printing blocks. I printed each colour from these blocks using water-based pigmented inks and a series of stencils. During the printing process, I apply ink to a 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. In this way the (ten) various colours are added in layers to create the final design.
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
When the print is finished, I blind print my chop seal and signature seal in the corner so they appear to be embossed.
Print size is 2.5″ x 7″ (6.5cm x 18cm) approx.
The print comes mounted and ready to frame, with double bevel-cut mount – overall size is 8″ x 12″ (20.5cm x 30cm) 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.
