Snowdrops! It was love at first sight. They don’t grow where I live and I had only read about them in story books. It was in England that I saw them for the first time. When I started with the wildfower series block printing, I already knew snowdrops had to be part of the set. I started with photos and then paintings, and now I have made those lino prints and subsequent books using them. Along the way, I have added on to my block printing tips page.
During our visit to a castle ruin in Northern England, the lady there told us about an old church hidden behind the market square. She said I would particularly love it. As I walked through the gate, I saw this gloriously overgrown place. These beautiful, gentle flowers blanketed the ground all around the headstones and the old trees there. She was not wrong!
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
That was it! Love at first sight. I would love to get another chance of taking better and more close-up photos of them.
Best friends – Work in progress sketch
According to German folklore, snow was transparent and asked each flower to share its color. The flowers were condescending and turned their faces away. It was the snowdrop that gave snow its white color. Snow was touched. It offered the flower its protection and they became best friends.
My snow and winter-loving heart loves this story beyond imagination.
In the Lost Pages book, I painted these snowdrops with falling snow. Of course, I have painted a few more snowdrops since then. During those times, I studied them as well. That knowledge was something I made use of when I started drawing for the lino block.
Before I start on a large piece, I always warm up with carving a smaller version of the picture. It gets my muscles used to the lines I am going to carve. I also make sure the design will work for the carving. This is where I adjust the design for the larger piece if required. This way I tend to make less mistakes when I work on the larger carving. Saves a lot of time and material.
There are some design choices I make before I start drawing something. I decided on seven flowers and that was not negotiable. Don’t ask me why, it’s just how my head works. Placing the flowers without crowding them so each one can shine was the challenge on this one. I also wanted them to face each other so they looked conversational.
Also, I needed to keep an empty space for the butterfly.
Many iterations later, I finished carving the block, and then finally got to print it. I mostly pull my prints on heavier printing paper, but I also like to pull a couple of prints on thin Japanese rice paper. The texture of the paper gives the print a slight unevenness, making it look very delicate.
Please click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
Notice the difference between the crisp print of the Fairy Lantern on the heavy paper and the textured print on the rice paper.
Afterwards, I made notebooks using the prints. That particular shade of blue makes me think of twilight time, my favorite time of the day. The light grey-white kept calling my name until I gave in and made another one with that color too.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
The three wildflower lino prints I have finished so far – Northern California Fairy Lantern, Enduring Thistle and Softhearted Snowdrops. The fourth photo is of the books I made using those prints as covers.
While playing with different book cover ideas, I fell in love with the French Fold. The cover board wraps over the edge into the inside of the book, making it look stylish and elegant. This also makes the binding more stable.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I hand made the rest of these books in hardcover with French Fold. As the paper I use in these books is great for writing and drawing, I have been using them for my language and art studies, as well as notebooks for any and everything. You can purchase the notebooks from my shop.
I really really love wildflowers. I can’t go out during the spring and summer months because my chest tightens up from pollen allergies and I can’t breathe. When I am out and about during the winter months, snowdrops is the one flower I get to enjoy freely. It has bestowed the same kindness on me as it did on snow.
I love these unassuming gentle white flowers. Seeing them again one day will feel like seeing someone special after a long time. For now, I am simply over the moon about being able to create a lino print of them, and books too. I hope you liked my version of the snowdrops.
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
43 thoughts on “Softhearted Snowdrops”
Rain October 14, 2025 at 03:13
Hi Soma! ♥ Your notebook snowdrops are so beautiful and simple, and what a sweet touch to add the butterfly! Lovely!
Carola October 9, 2025 at 16:56
Snowdrops always were the first flowers to appear at the end of winter in my native country. A most welcome sign, but not always did spring follow.
Your linoprints are truly beautiful. I also like wildflowers a lot and thankfully, Northern California has a lot to offer in that regard.
RachelSwirl October 4, 2025 at 15:18
Your snowdrops are stunning! I wish I was able to draw like you. Thanks for sharing and participating in #MySundaySnapshot.
Sarah MumofThree World October 3, 2025 at 22:48
I love your book covers! Snowdrops seem so ordinary to us in England, although a little bit magical as they’re always the first flower to bloom in the new year. I hadn’t realised they didn’t exist in other parts of the world.
Laura October 1, 2025 at 00:25
WOW this is really really stunning. We also dont get snowdrops here but they are gorgeous!
Janine @ rainbow Hare September 29, 2025 at 15:05
I love snowdrops too. Your pictures are beautiful :)
Natalie September 28, 2025 at 15:36
Your snowdrop artworks are beautiful, Soma. Snowdrops usually show up in March where I live. They are signs of spring. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Karen September 27, 2025 at 21:49
Your block prints are very beautiful! I love how you describe your inspiration and technique. The legend of the snowdrops is wonderful. I hope that you get to visit England again to see them. We can grow them here in the Pacific Northwest and I’ve always wanted to try growing them. Enjoy this beautiful season! x K
Debbie September 27, 2025 at 16:01
your art…your crafts, are so unique. i always enjoy the story behind the project and the fact that you are creating such unique items. and although this is not a craft i would take on, i always enjoy reading about the process and tips!! i am going to send this to my friend who teaches the various classes i take, this might be something she would enjoy and then make it into a class!! thanks, i love your posts and i am happy we found each other. enjoy your sunday!!
Linda September 27, 2025 at 09:22
Beautiful photos of snowdrops and beautiful art work.
Michelle September 27, 2025 at 02:40
Your snow drops are absolutely glorious!
Divya September 26, 2025 at 20:18
Soma… these are so beautiful.
Snowdrops seem to be such pretty flowers, and I love the German folktale about them. Thank you for sharing your learnings with us. <3
The 'seven beauties in conversation' was a great idea, Soma. :) It looks so good!!!
Erika N September 26, 2025 at 05:34
I never seen snowdrops here in New England either. I’m guessing we usually have too much snow on the ground when they would come up. I would love to see them though like in your photo. And I’m not sure what is prettier, the real flowers or your interpretation. All of those woodcut stamps are so pretty. You must have a steady hand to get such fine details. Enjoy the end of the month. It’s hard to believe it’s here already. hugs-Erika
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds September 25, 2025 at 16:23
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
Esme Slabbert September 25, 2025 at 10:49
Absolutely outstanding and oh so beautiful work. Snowdrops = special to me as well.
Thanks for participating and sharing at ES #WW #95, see you again Wednesday
Lisa | Handmade in Israel September 24, 2025 at 11:04
The snowdrops are beautiful! I last saw them on a visit to my dad in the north of England too. I wonder if we were in the same place. Your block print is incredible! I love it.
Comedy Plus September 24, 2025 at 07:34
They are most beautiful. I’ve not seen them before. Very beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Jennifer Jones September 23, 2025 at 20:25
We have snow drops here and I love them. Their daintiness is beautiful. I also love your art. I especially love that you do a carving first. I am not an artist in any way, and wouldn’t have thought of artists doing this.
Min @ Write of the Middle September 23, 2025 at 18:12
Hi Soma – ohhh wow I can see why you fell in love with the SnowDrops! I think it’s love at first sight for me too! And I love your painting of them and your print is perfect. I particularly love it on the Japanese rice paper. I love how you put in on the book covers too. I wish I could get myself being as productive as you are! I’m travelling to the UK next year so I hope I get to see SnowDrops for myself when I do! Thank you for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
Aritha September 23, 2025 at 12:15
I really enjoyed your blog. I took my time and read it slowly. I felt like such a treat. I grew up in a country where snowdrops bloom. They are the very first flowers of spring, sometimes even before the corocuses. My mother used to give us 10 cents, if we spotted the first snowdrop of the season. She struggled with winter depression, but the sight of the fors snowdrop always lifted up her spirit. Thats why i love this blog. What a gift to create them the way you do. Thank you
Carol September 22, 2025 at 04:59
I love all your art, but I must say the painting in the Lost Pages book is my favorite.So soft and I can see the snow falling on the flowers. You captured it so beautifully. #MMBC
Anne September 22, 2025 at 04:06
I love snowdrops too, you’ve done such a good job replicating them and I love the colour choice. I also love your story about the snowdrops and the snow, I’ve never heard that before.
handmade by amalia September 21, 2025 at 21:07
I love snowdrops. You certainly did them justice with your beautiful art.
Amalia
xo
Dixie September 20, 2025 at 20:50
Snowdrops are delicate beauties.
Beautiful designs, Soma.
Especially love the blue and green notebooks.
Connie Griffin September 20, 2025 at 07:58
Beautiful print, I do like how the flowers are facing each other, I like how you put it that they are having a conversation.
I do love the blue print on the kraft colored background, they go so well together!
It is interesting the stories people came up with for the reason for calling a flower a certain name.
Lavender Dreams September 20, 2025 at 07:22
Your books are wonderful works of art. You must feel so great when you have the finished product in your hands!
Amy Johnson September 20, 2025 at 05:08
What a beautiful flower and a beautiful story too!
Eileen September 20, 2025 at 01:35
Hello Soma,
I love your photos from England and the snowdrops are so pretty. Your snowdrop art looks beautiful, the notebooks are lovely.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
tomthebackroadstraveller September 19, 2025 at 15:01
…Soma, Snowdrops are an early spring favorite of mine and you captured them beautifully! Thanks for your visit and I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Jennifer Wise September 19, 2025 at 08:46
Oh my goodness! All of this! The photos from England (and just imagining the sight at the castle), the sketch, the painting, the block prints. So, so beautiful. Thanks for this lovely post. Visiting from the Crazy Little Lovebirds linkup.
Christine September 19, 2025 at 07:39
love your snowdrops!
Kim Carberry September 19, 2025 at 05:00
Snowdrops are such pretty flowers! Beautiful photos and artwork! How interesting reading about the process which goes into your work.
Gillena Cox. September 19, 2025 at 04:50
your snowdrops are lovely
Thanks for linking to AFFF 175
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
much♡love
Kim September 18, 2025 at 22:40
Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers, Soma. I love that they appear when winter is still keeping other plants dormant, and poke their little heads above the leaf litter to shine bright. You’ve captured them beautifully, and I look forward to adding this print to my collection.
Sue September 18, 2025 at 19:38
Your snowdrops are beautiful, you have caught the delicate flowers. Your notebooks look amazing too.
an artist reflects September 18, 2025 at 15:03
Your ‘snow drop’ creations are divine ~ I too love wild flowers ~ they are the best!
Thanks ~ Happy Creating to you ~ hugs,
an artist reflects
Karen September 18, 2025 at 14:50
we have something like a snowdrop here but they open fully and don’t “drop” they are called Star of Bethlehem – your sketches are always so pretty
Mary September 18, 2025 at 13:23
Beautiful pieces, Soma. I love the little story of them too. Your carving of them looks fantastic. The carpet of them in real life is stunning. What a delight for you to find them! I hope you can find them again soon.
Marsha Ingrao September 18, 2025 at 13:20
Beautiful pictures and I love how you shared the process of going from a photograph to a print. Wow! What a lot of work, but so worth it.
joanne September 18, 2025 at 10:14
Your snowdrop prints are so lovely as is your watercolor painting of them. Those photos from England remind me just a bit of my grandmother’s back yard– she had lots of tiny white flowers planted under and around all her trees. I’m pretty sure they were lily of the valley though since I remember them blooming later in the spring/summer than snowdrops typically do.
Cat September 18, 2025 at 05:09
I love snowdrops. They are so delicate looking and yet so strong to become the first ambassadors of coming spring.
I never heard the legend about the snowdrop and the snow here before now, what a sweet story it is! I also found another one saying (it said European fairy tales, so I don’t know where exactly it comes from) snowdrops being the tears of Eve when they had their first winter outside of Eden. An angel turned them into snowdrops because he felt pity for them. There are even more stories.
Your snowdrops are beautiful and really capture the beauty of the real flowers.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal September 18, 2025 at 04:38
Soma you write so imaginatively, I love the snowdrop story. I bet the butterfly you included has a story too. Northern England is exactly where I would go first if I could travel to the UK – on my way to Scotland! What a beautiful process you have for making your carvings. Your posts are such a treat for me!
Kathy September 18, 2025 at 04:16
Beautiful