The Silver Birch. Of all the trees in the forest, isn’t it the one which stands out?

Here’s a piece of artwork I did a while ago, using the Walter de la Mare Poem. 

But let me tell you how I found the verse. I didn’t. It was given to me.

Years ago, I was doing a demo at a show somewhere, and there was a lady to my left in a wheelchair, watching intently, whilst I did this technique with the Silver birch. There I was, with my embossing pen and my brayer, when out of nowhere, in the most beautiful Scottish accent, she recited this verse.

Silently, silently now the moon

Walks the night in her silver shoon

This way and that, she peers, and sees,

Silver fruit upon silver trees.

Absolutely perfect. Thank you Esther Higham, if you are reading this. Every time I use this stamp, I think of you xxx

The trees are stamped with black Adirondack and embossed with clear powder.

Then they are filled with a Versamark Pen and clear embossing powder. 

This is how they stay white when you add the night sky with a Brayer. 

You can literally wipe the trees clean.

I used Claritycard. You can see the glossy finish here. Best to polish right at the end.

The verse is stamped with a Versamark Pad before adding the Juniper, Denim and Black night sky with a brayer. This resist technique, as it is called, only works on this type of coated Claritycard.

You can see here, I used 2 pieces of A6 Claritycard, and made 2 panels, to spread the artwork out and give it room to breath. I think sometimes things get lost if they are too cluttered…

The Moon was made with a large Post-It moon mask, placed after the trees were enamelled, but before the sky was loaded!

And the snow? Simply added at the end with a very fine white pen. 

If you are reading this blog the day it was posted, there is a great 30% off sale on our website for all things trees and leaves, and this Silver Birch and both little and large leaves are in the sale. 

Sale ends at midnight.

www.claritystamp.co.uk