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.
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
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45 thoughts on “Printing And Bookbinding – Enduring Thistle”
Kirstin July 22, 2024 at 11:57
Those are beautiful. I was enjoying the thistles on a walk yesterday. So pretty!
Divya July 21, 2024 at 15:22
The thistle painting, the block prints as well as the carved block are all so impressive. I think it would be so satisfying to watch a video of your carving process, sometime. ;)
It looks like we’re going to be spending more days indoors in the next few weeks because of the heat. :-/ Let there be more art!
Happy creating, Soma. :)
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs July 21, 2024 at 10:44
Beautiful work as always Soma! You’ve captured the thistle perfectly. I love seeing them in our local woodland. x #MMBC
John July 20, 2024 at 12:58
Your artistry shines in this post. Very nice work.
RachelSwirl July 20, 2024 at 07:44
I love your artwork, you are so talented. Thanks so much for sharing and for taking part in #MySundaySnapshot
Amy Johnson July 20, 2024 at 06:09
Oh my gosh, your thistle painting is awesome!
Sarah MumofThree World July 19, 2024 at 23:25
They are fantastic! Thistles aren’t beautiful in the traditional sense, but they are certainly striking. They are just starting to flower here now. There’s quite a few at our local park.
Beth July 17, 2024 at 13:25
GORGEOUS!!
Don’t forget to join us over at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
Followed and Pinned!
Creatively, Beth
Comedy Plus July 17, 2024 at 07:15
You’re most talented. Beautiful work.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Suzana July 16, 2024 at 21:41
What a lovely work here. You gave me a new impulse to try this technique.
I’m glad I discovered your beauties!
Happy WW and a lot of inspirations!
Julie July 15, 2024 at 22:28
The prints look so pretty!
Veronica Lee July 15, 2024 at 22:20
Thistles are pretty, and your work showcases them beautifully.
The prints are stunning, Soma.
Traude "Rostrose" July 15, 2024 at 08:43
I am enthusiastic about your print and your painting – that’s perhaps because I also find thistles very, very beautiful, and useful too, because bees and butterflies love them and apparently the pulp of the stems is even edible for humans and tasty like asparagus. I found that in an old wildflower cookbook, but I haven’t tried it yet. And the purple color play of the flower heads is unbeatable.
All the best from Austria and a good start to the new week, Traude
image-in-ing weekly photo linky July 15, 2024 at 08:02
You do absolutely gorgeous work!
Thanks for sharing at
Carol July 15, 2024 at 05:19
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a thistle in person, but it is a beautiful, colorful flower. The print is outstanding in beauty. #MMBC
Kim Carberry July 15, 2024 at 03:22
Thistles really are pretty and you have done a great job. The prints are just beautiful.
Mie July 15, 2024 at 02:20
O waw! How beautiful!
Rowena Curtin July 15, 2024 at 00:18
Hi Soma,
Your thistle prints are incredible and I’m very impressed. Thistles are definitely a weed here in Australia and a pest, but that’s not to discount its nostalgic connections to Scotland or to deny that a hardy resilient weed could well offer inspiration for overcoming adversity. I have intermittent flirtations with art and painting, but have really taken it up big time lately and have been amazed at how it’s been coming together. I am very much exploring different mediums atm and would like to have a try at printmaking at some point, but am currently focused on painting and multi-media used knitting, crochet and repurposed objects. I am finding it very exhilarating.
Hope you have a great week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Michelle July 14, 2024 at 08:27
Like you, I am a fan of thistles, although they are typically considered a weed. And I rarely am able to see the flowers in their early stage, instead finding them after they’ve gone to fluff. But those perfect finds are indeed beautiful. I love your various artwork pieces.
Bill July 14, 2024 at 01:15
Thistles are are a nice but deadly plant, nice to look at and admire but not east to touch with those pointy leaves, I grew some large ones in my garden which I see are coming back again this year. The make a nice cover for your Journals
Natalie July 13, 2024 at 18:13
You’ve created beautiful thistle prints and journals. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Susan July 13, 2024 at 15:15
I love the color of the thistles. Purple was my first favorite color. I am in awe of your talent.
Cat July 13, 2024 at 11:53
The thistles are beautiful! I remember huge silver thistles on our “house hill”, the Hohenstaufen, but of course they don’t have the beautiful purple.
I hope one day I will be able to embroider one because I love them (I only just started, so they will have to wait ;-)).
Such lovely work on the prints!
Cat
Eileen July 13, 2024 at 04:01
Hello Soma,
Your prints and the journals are beautiful. I love the thistle.
It is nice you added a butterfly, thistle does attract the insects.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Susan July 13, 2024 at 00:39
Just beautiful
Teresa Smeigh July 12, 2024 at 18:00
I love the journals and the covers are lovely.
Louise (Fundy Blue) July 12, 2024 at 17:37
Your thistle prints are beautiful, Soma! I envy you your road trips through Scotland. I still have hopes of visiting the land of my ancestors. Happy weekend!
Mary July 12, 2024 at 14:40
The thistle is wonderful. I always love their color. I believe it is the national flower of Scotland too. Right? Your carving is truly beautiful. I’d love to watch you create your designs. Stay cool. Hope the fires stay away from you.
Kim July 12, 2024 at 14:15
Oh, this is beautiful, Soma, and I know we share a love of the ruggedness of the Scottish landscape. Certainly no heatwave here, for the most part it’s been a very cool summer. I do hope you’ll continue with your wildflower prints. I already have a fairy lantern, will you also make available the thistle?
Thistles and Kiwis July 12, 2024 at 12:18
Very beautiful.
Anne Fraser July 12, 2024 at 07:03
Your thistle prints are beautiful. I see a few thistles in the South West of England but I always associate thistle with Scotland.
Andrea Priebe July 12, 2024 at 06:57
Beautifully done, Soma … like you, I love the thistle flower. Their color is brilliant and you have captured their beauty perfectly.
I did receive the journal you sent … thank you :)
Andrea @ From the Sol
Christine July 12, 2024 at 06:48
Gorgeous art!
Dixie July 12, 2024 at 06:45
Love the thistle photo.
Absolutely wonderful journals, and your beautiful prints
are outstanding, Soma.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal July 12, 2024 at 05:28
You perfectly captured the thistle, both in photography, painting, and printing!! Traveling in Scotland sounds like a dream to me.
Erika N July 12, 2024 at 04:28
That thistle print is beautiful. I’ve done small rubber stamp carving in soft material, but I’ve tried those hard blocks and it’s not easy. Especially to get those tiny details . Have a wonderful weekend.
tomthebackroadstraveller July 12, 2024 at 04:18
….I LOVE the thistles!!! Enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Alison Hall July 12, 2024 at 02:49
That’s such a beautiful carving Soma! You really captured the thistle leaves and flowers so well. We see a few thistles here in Kent, but I can’t wait to get back to Scotland to see proper Scottish ones.
Stay cool in the heat. We haven’t had much of a summer here yet, apart from the odd warm sunny day. Lots of famous British rain!
Alison x
Sue July 11, 2024 at 21:31
Wonderful thistle prints, both on the paper and the journals.
Connie Griffin July 11, 2024 at 18:08
You did such a beautiful job with the carving of them. We had just went out last weekend to a lake we hadn’t been to before and hubby found some thistle and he got pictures of them, he does like them too. The prints made great covers for the books.
Try to stay cool, I know you all have it hotter than we do.
Gillena Cox July 11, 2024 at 13:50
Your thistle print is awesome. Happy Thursday
much♡love
Debra She Who Seeks July 11, 2024 at 10:51
I’ve always loved Scottish thistles too. They were common on the Canadian prairies when I was a kid. Such a gorgeous shade of purple. I’ve never been to Scotland but do have Scottish heritage. I love your print!
jeanie July 11, 2024 at 09:00
Hi Soma, these are absolutely beautiful. I, too, love the look of the thistle, its colors and texture and shape. You managed to capture it so beautifully in your carving and print. The journals, all of them, are just wonderful.
Karen July 11, 2024 at 06:39
I love your thistles!
Joanne July 11, 2024 at 03:34
Your prints and journals are just lovely– as are your photo and your watercolor. The colors of that thistle are so pretty.