Brightly Shining

December 13, 2019


DECEMBER 23, 2019 FINAL PRINT REVEALED

The Stars Were Brightly Shining | Paprika Press

So I've finished out this edition with 110 prints. This was mostly a reduction cut with a printed wood sky that was an attempt to get the woodgrain to mimic the northern lights. Overall, I am pleased. As is the norm, I've got some changes I'll make during my next print, but those are related more to pressure on the press and registration more than anything else. This print turned out well and was a good test for a much larger one coming soon - The Cliffs of Moher.



DECEMBER 21, 2019 SKY GRAIN

The Stars Were Brightly Shining | Paprika Press

Just a better shot of the Northern Lights via wood grain. The look is fine, but it required more pressure on the press than I wanted. Because of that the ink layering is more noticeable in the rectangular shape of the sky. It's not the end of the world, but it's something I'd change in my next print.



DECEMBER 15, 2019 ADDING THE SECOND LAYER

The Stars Are Brightly Shining - second layer | Paprika Press

The second layer is the first layer of the reduction portion of this print. This layer will be the underpinning color for the trees as well as the snow and foreground.



DECEMBER 11, 2019 SKY COLOR TEST

Color Test Print - Paprika Press Printshop

Today I've done a color test print for the winter night sky. I was hoping for an Aurora Borealis effect with the wood grain, which I do get, but it's very subtle. I'll try for some damper paper and see what happens.



DECEMBER 07, 2019 A DECKLED STACK

Deckled Paper | Paprika Press

Three hours later and we have a stack of hand-torn paper ready to print. 



DECEMBER 01, 2019 CARVING PROGRESS

Carving Progress | Paprika Press

Quick process shot of the spruces carved away. I'll leave the snowy foreground for now since I'll be treating the rest of this block as a reduction print. 



NOVEMBER 09, 2019 A DECKLED STACK

Block Staining | Paprika Press

I stain my lino with a diluted wash of red ink before carving the fine lines. This helps me visual where I'm going and where I've been in the carving process.



NOVEMBER 27, 2019 ROUGH OUTLINES CARVED

Carving Progress Spruces | Paprika Press

Quick removal of the large areas before staining up the block in prep for the details. 



NOVEMBER 22, 2019 DRAWING TRANSFERRED

Transferred Image | Paprika Press

Spruces have been transferred and embellished upon, now time to get carving!



NOVEMBER 07, 2019 QUICK SKETCH FOR CARD

Initial Sketch Spruces | Paprika Press

Quick sketch for this year's Christmas card. I want to focus on a more natural scene, large print, and the them of "The Star's Were Brightly Shining" taken from the song O Holy Night, which has a lot of sentimental value to me. 






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