Peace on Earth

Holiday season is getting closer, in less than 2 months... So, last weekend I started to design a linocut print greeting card. This year's theme is "Peace on Earth". The world really needs this now as it should be our wish for everyone. As you may know already, many famous as well as unknown artists created unique handmade greeting cards in the past and these are collectible small art pieces, which can be framed as an artwork (see pic below). This year I am going to offer a set of 6 greeting cards for 40 € including Free shipping worldwide with registered mail. Also, 5% of the sale profit will be donated to UNICEF Foundation to help children affected by war. 

 "Peace on Earth" Greeting card sets (left) - Mock up for framed linocut (right).

Even though the preparing process was quite time consuming, the result was worth it. After several sketches made, I transferred the final one to the lino sheet (see pic below) and started to carve it. I did a test print with a chalk stick (see pick below). Because the blue ink was a little bit dark I inked the lino sheet with lighter blue mixing it with white color. I tested inking a few prints to make sure no more carving was needed (see pic below). Next day when the prints were totally dry, I cut and attached them on heavy-weight hand-cut card stock. Later on with an HB pencil I wrote the title, signed and dated the cards. Each card has its own envelop and protective plastic sleeve. If you think your friends or relatives might be interested in ordering them, feel free to share this e-mail (or share the blog page link). I will be busy printing and preparing card sets till mid-November, in order to give enough time for people to send them for the holiday season. Have a great weekend!

Making the "Peace on Earth" linocut print for holiday greeting cards

"Peace on Earth" Handmade Linocut Greeting Card

by Birsen Ozbilge, 2016

Card size is 8.25 cm x 13 cm (3.24" x 5.11)

Set of 4 is available to order, click on SHOP

********* 

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

* Join to my weekly newsletter mailing list.

Link: http://bit.ly/ACreativeJournalofanArtist-Sign-up

How to frame a Linocut Print

a visit to Museo León y Castillo 

Well, I just fixed a few things on design and video editing programs to be able to share with you the latest news from the studio and the island's undiscovered places. 

I don't know if it happens to you, but I was always curious about the street names, especially the ones with people names... Many years I passed through "calle León y Castillo" which is one of the longest and important streets in Las Palmas, and the other day we were walking around the historical part of Telde and came across with this same name on a museum building.

Fernando León y Castillo (1842-1918) was a politician, and a very important personality who decided on an intervention of Spain and North Africa and he was an ambassador in Paris for many years until he died. The collection is full of history with wonderful paintings, sculptures and decorative artworks from the last century, many gifted from royal families. (see pic above) We really enjoyed this visit. At the end of the tour we were allowed to sit and rest at the roof terrace, where we relaxed and I sketched the surroundings.

from carving till framing 

Last week I worked on a new linocut print (see pic above). Earlier this summer I made two linocut prints titled "Saturday mood" and "Sunday mood". So, I decided to continue this series and I came up with another traditional drink; Turkish coffee. This 3rd one in the series represents the beginning of the week, it's a "Monday mood" (see pic below). A little coffee fortune session will be fun for Monday, I thought.

I ship my linocut artworks well-packed and registered but with no frame. It's much safer and economical. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great week!

"Monday mood" by Birsen Ozbilge, 2016

Original limited edition handmade linocut print

(Edition of 25 only)

Paper size 6.5" x 8.5" (16 x 21 cm.)

Image size 4" x 6" (10 x 15 cm)

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

Welcome to Autumn with a new linocut print

The view point from Carrizal

Hi everybody, I finally found some time to write on the blog. I have been sketching outdoors lately and getting lots of inspiration for the new projects. This is the first week of autumn. That means for us, soon the windy season will end in our neighborhood. So, I will be able to do more plein air paintings.

This week I worked on a new linocut artwork. I drew an imaginary composition inspired by a landscape view point from our neighborhood where we often take a break from on our way to home (see pic above).  

After I transferred the sketch image to the lino sheet, I started to carve the tree shape first (see below pic). Once the carving is finished, I decided to check the negative image on a very thin paper with a charcoal stick. This is kind of a pre-proof stage for me. After seeing the result, I went over the lino a little bit more. I did the proof printing and lastly I fixed a few more details. I titled this piece "By the tree". Enjoy it and have a great week!

Making of the linocut

"By the tree" by Birsen Ozbilge, 2016

Original limited edition handmade linocut print

(Edition of 15 only)

Paper size 6" x 7" (15.5 x 16.5 cm.)

Image size 4" x 4.25" (9 x 10 cm.)

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

Salud, Dinero y Amor

Work in progress

Last weekend we were invited for a Paella lunch at our friends place in El Burrero. After the meal, I decided to paint with oil pastels. This time I chose three main objects; a mango, a wine bottle and a rose flower, which represent "Salud, dinero y amor" (health, fortune and love) in this painting. Additionally I added a complementary object, a scent candle which represents "wishing all these three. (see pic above) I used a heavy-weight draft paper which holds the layers very well. My oil pastels are artist grade Cray-Pas 50 color set. Additionally I used a black pastel pencil to create sharp edges in some areas. But I kept the colors of the objects soft and not competing each other, in other way of saying I tried to keep the harmony of the colors. I softly layered 2 colors and 3 colors in some areas and avoid to smudge too much as I like to give the viewer to enjoy the oil pastel texture. I hope you enjoy it, if you have any questions leave in the comments please. Have a great week!

finished artwork

"Salud, Dinero y Amor " by Birsen Ozbilge

Oil Pastel on Craft Paper, 24 x 32 cm

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

Would you like to make a wish?

Last Saturday night I worked from my friend Gemma's kitchen. I challenged myself to draw a candle light with oil pastels. I picked a beautiful cross ornament and a sea shell from her shelf to accompany the candle light. I added a touch of "Night in El Burrero" scene on the top part of the composition. I love using craft paper with oil pastels. Composition was simple, avoiding to choose too many colors created a saddle look. While I was working on this drawing I made a wish and that's why I gave the title "Make a wish". Light a candle and make a wish, dreams come true one day... Have a great week!

Work in progress

"Make a wish" by Birsen Ozbilge

Oil Pastel on Craft Paper, 24 x 32 cm

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

A Plein air painting day with my nieces

Drawing of my niece (6 years old)

On Thursday we went to a lovely park called "El Parque Cruce de Arinaga" to have a picnic with the family and kids. We had done this meeting with them last year as well... It is very relaxing, sitting on the grass, enjoying plein air painting with my nieces. The youngest niece is 6 years old now, this is her drawing. It's incredible how she advanced a lot in a year. (See last year here)

Girls like to draw

There was a nice breezy weather in the park that day. We set our picnic under a big tree by the play ground. After the lunch meal, I started to work with oil pastels (see pic below). I tried not to fill the composition with too much details, so I took out a few objects, like a trash can, a bench... This way the pastel painting will reflect the peaceful atmosphere in the park. Enjoy your weekend!

Work in progress

"Under the shade of a tree" by Birsen Ozbilge

Oil pastel on craft paper, 32 x 24 cm.

* Click on the images to see them larger.

* Reply with a comment if you liked this.

* Join to my weekly newsletter mailing list.

Link: http://bit.ly/ACreativeJournalofanArtist-Sign-up