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
This woodblock print of Olearia Semidentata is one of several featuring purple flowers. If you like this one, have a look at others such as Irises, or Wisteria.
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.
