"Blossom by blossom" - an original handprinted wood engraving, inspired by my local area of Southside Edinburgh. I enjoy daily walks through the neighbouring stretch of woodland, especially at the beginning of Spring. Looking for the first signs of nature awakening has become a bit of a ritual.
“Blossom by blossom the spring begins” is a line from a poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne. 
 
Wood engraving is a form of relief printmaking. The image is engraved with very sharp finely-pointed tools into a mirror- smooth surface of an endgrain block (in this case - pear wood). The surface is then inked up and the image is printed onto paper. I first use a press to print my wood engravings and then hand-burnish each of the prints with a teaspoon to get a crisper print. This block has been particularly challenging to print. 
Handprinted in highly-pigmented oil-based ink in Carbon Black on premium printmaking paper.
You can choose between  an off-white paper (which gives it a slightly vintage feel) or a smoother white paper (please see photos for comparison).
 
Image size 8x10cm. Paper size is appr 17x23 cm. Titled, numbered and signed in pencil.
A limited edition of 75. 
Because the image is inked and printed by hand, there may be slight variations in tone. 
Will be shipped flat, carefully wrapped in acid-free tissue, sandwitched between 2 sturdy boards and packaged in a protective envelop to ensure safe delivery. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Sold unframed and unmounted (please get in touch if you'd like to purchase a mounted print).