New magnification lamp and a couple new prints

the work table where I engrave with tools & new magnification lamp 

I recently treated myself to an early Christmas present after doing some online research for a new portable magnification lamp after the older unit I had been using stop working.

Came across this model (attached to my engraving work table in the above photo) in online retailer Amazon 

It met all the criteria I was seeking (those being a minimum 10X magnification, good price point, portability, LED lamp (this one offered 5 types of light settings and these could be dimmed or the brightness intensified depending on the need). It also included free shipping which was a plus. The unit came with an adapter to plug into a conventional wall plug and could also be connected directly into a computer or other USB port to power it.

What a treat it is to work now with 10x magnification through the lens. The older lamp magnifier was only 5X. 

The small engraved wood relief print shown below was created using the new lamp to engrave a block from a drawing that I adapted to a small piece of boxwood end-grain. 

"Kindness"
relief print from engraved wood block

sketch using fine point marker pen

tracing on vellum (reverse orientation) & image transfer to block surface 

block, leather sandbag and engraving tools

this photo shows the block size compared
to the size of the palm of my hand

print on paper, block on registration sheet on my press bed.
The white bars (laminated mdf cut offs) are used as runners
that help balance the top roller during printing.
These are very close in height to the boxwood block

Both prints reflect the theme of winter. The first of the two new print images I made (see below) was a linocut. It is a study based on an afternoon of snowshoeing that I participated in several seasons back. Both prints were printed onto Somerset velvet warm white 250 gm rag paper. I used Cranfield safewash black relief printing ink and both images were printed using an etching press roller. 

A special registration set up was made on the press bed that allowed me to use the press usually delegated for intaglio processes but to print both relief based surfaces.

Winter trail
linocut 

both images are available for purchase through my Etsy shop