“Midnight Clear” Linocut Print

A beautiful limited edition linoleum block print by artist, William Hays, whose attention to detail, and sense of color and light are impeccable.  He makes his linocut prints by first transferring his original drawing to the surface of a block of linoleum, then carving away any part of the image he wants to be white (the white of the paper). He then rolls oil-based ink onto the surface of the carved block and lays a piece of paper on top of the inked surface. He applies pressure, either by rubbing with a hard object or by putting it through an etching press. The ink is thus transferred to the paper.  He repeats this process for each subsequent color, layering each in turn to create the image.  This process is accomplished using an unforgiving “reductive” printing process. The block is carved again and again for each new color he applies, altering it forever and leaving him unable to go back to make corrections to previous colors.  He is also unable to print more than the number of prints he decided on at the beginning, strictly limiting the edition. These prints are shipped directly from the artist’s studio.

Limited edition of 100 prints total in circulation.  Printed on Stonehenge, 100% rag paper. Signed, numbered and titled by the artist. The print itself is 9″x12″