The Tempest

The Tempest - © William Evertson - Woodcut 20" x 60"

"Full fathom five thy father lies;

Of his bones are coral made;

Those are pearls that were his eyes:

Nothing of him that doth fade

But doth suffer a sea-change

Into something rich and strange.

Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell."

Ariel's song from The Tempest by William Shakespeare 

Two months ago (mid November) I began another large format woodcut based on digital images first presented in Atlanta as part of the Billboard Project.  Three trial proofs gave me the correct color combinations and my first AP is pictured above .

The piece is loosely inspired by a scene from Shakespeare's play of the same name. Ariel, the spirit helper of Prospero summons the tempest.  Music, magic and water complete my imagery.  

Six blocks are used to construct this piece. One background block, two for water, two for Ariel and one for the linear sweep of the music.

Six panels from The Tempest

Bokashi (gradations) are used extensively on all panels.  The background panel alone required 12 inkings to build the sky.  These prints are too large for the use of a kento registration system.  Instead I trap the upper edge of the paper and flip the paper on and off the blocks as they are inked.

Building the background colors.