Bohemian Waxwing Wood Engraving Art Print

‘Bohemian Waxwing’ wood engraving print by Fiona Hamilton.
Printed on Zerkell smooth white 145gsm.
Paper measures 18cm x 24cm.
Image measures 5cm x 7cm approx.
Signed and numbered in a limited edition of 100.

A hand carved wood engraving (not to be confused with a woodcut, more information below) of a Bohemian Waxwing bird with by Fiona Hamilton. Original reference photograph by David Pallash.

Wood Engraving
Wood engravings are made by carving into the end grain of a very hard wood such as box, maple or lemonwood and is different to wood cut which uses side grain. Due to the hardness of the material, very fine details can be achieved. This technique was originally used for illustrations in books and newspapers alongside letterpress until metal image blocks arrived. It was revived in inter-war Britain by artists including Eric Ravilious, Agnes Miller Parker and Eric Gill who saw it's potential for artwork.

About the artist
Fiona Hamilton is a Bristol based printmaker. Her work explores the ecological sublime and an appreciation of the majesty of nature. She uses detailed intaglio etching, drypoint, lithography and chine collé to draw the viewer into an ethereal landscape that has an impact on our sense of place in relation to the natural world. She uses primarily black and white with natural tones of chine collé and sometimes layers of lithographic texture to introduce warmth to the stark palette and to invoke a sublime emotional connection. She works from sketches, photographs, notes and memory to create her prints.

Fiona has an MA in Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking from The University of the West of England (2023). Previously she studied Graphic Fine Art at Canterbury (2002) and established Soma Gallery in 2004.