matted framed block prints of whales

Whale Tail, Tiny Linoleum Block Prints

matted framed block prints of whales

Whale Tail I and II, matted and framed block prints

I love the photos of whale breaches that tell the “whale’s tale” and I wanted to find the essence of the moment, just the whale’s tail, the water and the sky. “Whale Tail I and II” are a simplified, iconic image of a whale’s tail breaching the waves with the clouds over the water in the background, tiny linoleum block prints in black on white rice paper that I wanted to look like an illustration in an old book.

I designed and cut these two blocks in 2001 based on photos from a friend’s vacation. The actual images are 2″ x 4″ on the outside of the heavy outline.

Whale Tail I, Linoleum Block Print

Whale Tail I, Linoleum Block Print

These prints are part of a series inspired when I was reading articles about whales in 2000 and 2001. I had always admired the little illustrations I found in some of my books, just tiny images that said so much. Most illustrations in older books were etchings or relief prints of some sort, and as I studied those I found ideas blooming in my own imagination to use what I’d found.

 

Whale Tail II, Linoleum Block Print

Whale Tail II, Linoleum Block Print

About block printing

Block printing is a technique wherein the artist carves the surface of a piece of linoleum, leaving raised areas which will become the image. Ink is rolled onto these raised areas, then a piece of paper is pressed against the block and when it’s lifted away the ink remains, leaving the image on the paper.

Unlike other reproduction prints made with a printer or on a printing press, each block print is created by hand and the slight variations of ink coverage and even paper texture make each print unique. I printed a set of eight of each Whale’s Tail and numbered each one.

You can read more about block printing here.

Purchase the set

matted framed block prints of whales

Whale Tail 1 and 2, matted and framed block prints

As you see above, I have them matted with navy blue marbled matboard with a black frame. I have one set matted and framed right now. Please visit the product listing for this art to order the set.

I also have just prints on rice paper as well as a few matted prints, and can frame prints as well. Visit the product posts to see those options:

Whale Tail I

Whale Tail II


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See more Nature & Wildlife block prints here.

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All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit “purchasing” for availability and terms.

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