Enduring Thistle lino print and hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

Printing And Bookbinding – Enduring Thistle

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Hi Everyone! As a heatwave has taken over where I live, I am hiding inside, working away.  Last weekend, I set up my printing press and pulled a couple of thistle prints.  Then I remembered that I carved this block last year and I never got around to writing about the prints or the books I made from them.   I would love to share them today along with another tip on block carving.

 

 

 

Scottish Thistle photo by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

My love affair with thistle is very old.  It is certainly not a fashionable flower and it can be a bane for the lands, but I LOVE the color of the flowers.

On our many roadtrips through Scotland, I looked forward to spotting and photographing them on walking trails.  I found quite a few variants of this flower in different areas.   I took this photo by the mountainside, bracing myself against 40 – 50 mph wind gusts.  Considering the effort it took me to take this photo, I feel I brought a bit of Scottish spirit back with me!

 

 

 

Scottish Thistle watercolor painting in sketchbook by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

The fuchsia and purple are undeniably vibrant and beautiful enough, not only for me to seek out and photograph them, but paint them afterwards as well.   This one is from the sketchbook I was keeping while traveling there.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

It was beyond time that I made a block print with these flowers.

 

A couple of notes here about my carving prep

 

Both printing and carving are messy business.  I purchase packing paper for lining my table.  That way the paper catches all the shavings during carving and cleanup is a lot easier.  I use a drafting brush to clean the board while carving. 

I also keep my strop right beside me to keep the tools sharp.  Not only can a dull blade slip and cut your finger, it can also slip in the wrong direction and spoil the carving.  I hone my tools as soon as I feel them catching on the board.  Also, it is much easier to keep a blade sharp by honing than having to sharpen a dull blade. 

 

 


 

Block Print Tips Page

 

These little bits of notes tend get lost very easily, just like little pieces of paper.   So I created a new page where I will add them on as I share them here.  I also added the page on the sidebar for easy access.  I hope you find it helpful.

 

 


 

 

 

I had a clear idea how I wanted to draw the stem and the leaves, but the flowers were not so easy.  After a few iterations, I really liked the stylized version of the petals I drew.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

I always pull at least one print on 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.  

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

 

I use a small press to pull my prints on heavy paper.   Of course I had to make a journal for myself using one of the prints.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

I am working on a set of wildflower prints.  I started with the Golden Fairy Lantern print.  I knew the thistle would be the very next one, and I have at least two more in mind.  I am using these two journals I made for my studies.  I desperately need to make a few more for note-keeping.

 

 

Here are the everyday journals with the Enduring Thistle prints on the cover.   Please click on the image thumbnails to see the detail photos –

 

 

The journals are available in my shop.

 

 

 

Enduring Thistle lino print and Thistle hand bound journal by Soma Acharya InkTorrents Graphics @ InkTorrents.com

 

Thistles may not be grand, but they are definitely tough, wild, and have a strong aptitude for survival.  Naming this print Enduring Thistle seemed just perfect. 

I have succumbed to the magic of the thistle. 

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please consider paying a visit to some of them.

 

 

 

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Everyday Bullet Journals with Fluttering Spring Cherry Blossoms Cover in Teal Green @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

Twirling and Fluttering

Everyday Bullet Journals with Fluttering Spring Cherry Blossoms Cover @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

Hello everyone!  I have a lot to share with you today.   The trees around here are full of white blossoms.  The little flowers look so lovely when they twirl and flutter in the breeze.  I have been working on a couple of paintings of these flowers.  I also want to make a new quilt, so I wrote a quilt pattern as well.

 

 

Spring Blossoms in the rain in Napa @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

One day, when it rained and pollen was not so bad, I went outside to take a photo of this delicate flower holding onto a gentle raindrop.  It’s one of my favorite photos. 

 

 

Fluttering Spring Blossoms quilt pattern @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

Fluttering Blossoms quilt pattern

 

Blossoms come in so many different colors.  Instead of the usual pink, I picked white for mine because of the white blossoms blooming around here.

 

 

Fluttering Spring Blossoms quilt pattern @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

After I finished the flower, I wrote the pattern for a single petal.

 

 

Fluttering Spring Blossoms quilt pattern @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

This is the design of little flowers and petals twirling and fluttering in the wind that I will be making into a quilt.

You can get this Fluttering Blossoms quilt pattern from my shop.  It includes both the flower and petal patterns.

 

 

 

Spring Blossoms in the rain in Napa @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

That rainy day, I took a photo of this flowering branch as well.  I love the contrasting green background created by the large tree that was behind it.

 

 

Fluttering Spring Cherry Blossoms drawings for everyday journals @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

It all started with a simple drawing of these dainty flowers in my sketchbook.   As usual, as time passed, I started to expand on the original drawing.  I couldn’t really decide on one, so I made two.

 

 

Dragonfly sketch @InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

Before I copied the drawings onto the papers that I would be using for the paintings,  I must have practiced at least 50-60 dragonfly wings.  In order for me to draw a continuous curve with the pen,  I had to find the correct angles of both the paper and my hand.  Those arrows on the paper are to remind myself of the start and end points.

 

 

Everyday Bullet Journals with Fluttering Spring Cherry Blossoms Cover @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

Fluttering Blossoms everyday journals

 

Instead of going with traditional colors, I chose a couple of stylized color combinations.  I couldn’t say no to that vibrant red,  and teal is my favorite color.   Once I had the colors for the flowers, the colors for the dragonflies came naturally.

I named this one Fluttering Blossoms.

 

 

Everyday Bullet Journals with Fluttering Spring Cherry Blossoms Cover @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

Twirling Blossoms everyday journals

 

My husband recently requested a bullet journal.  He chose this drawing with the petals for his book cover.

This one is called Twirling Blossoms.

I drew and painted all four of them individually.  There were a couple of accidents which required me to restart.  I will refrain from mentioning the words that were uttered at those moments.

 

Here are the four everyday journals with the paintings on the cover.  Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos –

 

 

The journals are also available in my shop, as well as the quilt pattern.

 

Now I am off to make the journal for my husband.  I may end up making a bullet journal for myself as well.  I will share them when I finish.

 

A dear friend loves watching the spring blossoms and autumn leaves fluttering and twirling in the air.   It’s very peaceful to see him enjoying the simple and ephemeral moments of nature.  These little flowers always make me think of him.  I hope you like them!

 

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please consider paying a visit to some of them.

 

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