Printing

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Simple 365 – Set 9

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions.

I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. I continue to add photos to that page as I share them here. That way I can relive the journey through the year via black and white photos like in an old album.

Every now and then I make botanical paint from things I forage from my garden.

Wild Child

I shared the basics of botanical ink making here.

A few years ago, I got Indigo and Coreopsis seeds for the purpose of paint making. I collect the seeds from both plants each year and save them in little seed packets. Last week I had a great time sitting on the patio, sowing them in tiny little pots. These green trays are great for a plant nursery.

Much to my surprise, I saw little seedlings emerge within just a few days. I love watching them grow and look forward to the beautiful flowers and colours they will make.

I will write up a little tutorial on how to make these cute seed packets soon, in case you want to save or share seeds from your garden.

With a very frail 19+ year-old kitty at home, we have been limiting our travels to just a couple of days at a time, mostly within California. I often spend the last afternoon of a trip drawing in a sketchbook while my husband reads.

Visiting Yosemite in winter is a must for me. I did this sketch in pencil while I was at Yosemite, didn’t have a pen with me then. I wanted to leave it as-is, but my dear husband loves inked drawings. So, later on, I used a $10 fude pen for all the lines and a white gel pen for the snow.

I look forward to showing you more drawings and telling you a bit more about this sketchbook soon.

With the advent of March, my outside time became very limited due to severe allergies. Since I couldn’t be outside enjoying the fresh air and flowers, I started sketching and then carving this block. This will join the everyday journal wildflowers collection covers. I am very excited about printing this one and making a book with it.

These are just a few things from my winter break. I have so much to share with you – ideas, tools and supplies, the makes, and of course photos from my travels.

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.

Printing And Bookbinding – Enduring Thistle

Little Stories – Seedlings

Simple 365 – Set 9