I'm becoming transfixed with a new pond I've found in the forest. I have a feeling it's something to do with the colours and the layers around it, as well as the fact that it's often still as glass, reflecting everything beautifully.
These pictures don't quite do it justice, the orange of the grasses and the glowing brown of the bracken seem much more vibrant when you're there. It's a funny place, the tall trees are to the left and to the right is a clearing behind it, so it seems like two completely different landscapes right next to each other. When I visited it in the morning the sun was steaming through the trees which seemed rather wonderful.
I have some Kitakata paper which is a very warm creamy colour and would work beautifully as a winter sky (I used this last year for 'Winter Westerly'). I'm pondering over whether I want to do a whole sheet or tear it in half and do a slightly longer, thinner print which I think might work rather well for this. It would really focus in on the tree trunks and the reflections which is how it feels when you're there - you can't really see the sky except for through the trees.
I'm considering trying to etch the lino with caustic soda to capture the tree canopy shapes, I think that, along with some cutting, could create a wonderful effect, I have a test piece of lino that I have etched but I need to add some cutting to see the effect.
The other thing I'm mulling over is whether to etch the edges for a soft finish, have a hard, clean shape or whether to print right up to the edge of the paper. I'm wondering how I would edition it if I did that. I like the idea of etching the edges to get a slightly roughened edge to the print area, I think it might mirror the soft edges of the washi paper rather beautifully. Again, I need to test this to see whether it works.
I've sat and sketched a couple of times to try to figure out exactly what it is about it that's attracting me to it. I think the reflections and the wonderful colours of the grasses are the most important things. I definitely want to capture the bright orange grasses in front of the dark reflections, and I'd like to try to capture the sun behind the trees.
This is definitely going to be a challenge. I'm wondering whether I might need more than one plate to properly capture it without muddying the colours.
First I need to come up with a design drawing and test my piece of etched lino to see exactly what I might be able to work towards.