Wild Light: A Printmaker's Day & Night

by Angela Harding

With more than 70 original illustrations, Wild Light invites you to look at how light changes the world around us and how that changes us in turn.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature, British Literature

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2022

About the author

Angela Harding is a fine art painter and illustrator based in Wing, Rutland, specialising in lino prints and giftware inspired by British birds and countryside.

Reviews

[Francisca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ay ♡

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

An artist talking about her life and the many things that she sees and experiences. Her illustrations are for some of the things she sees and though they are cool looking I'm not a big fan.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point with how long I have had this book checked out from the library I think the library is about to hunt me down for it. Fortunately my husband didn't listen and since he was busy watching the Chiefs game with his friend I chose to see if I could get started on the book then see how far I would get before attempting to return it to the library. Fortunately the book is actually a lot quicker given to the fact that it is mostly focused on providing the reader with prints from the author Angela Harding.

The book starts off with an Introduction that explains the theme of the book, the way the author goes around her craft, an explanation of the various components that may go into her work and also the various methods that may be used by her. She also explains the difference to readers who may be curious about the difference between original print and editions versus monotypes.

From there Wild Light: A Printmaker's Day & Night goes into exploring six different light stages in the natural world. Each of these sections are started off with a two-page spread including a print that is meant to capture the light stage with a box including the name of the chapter. The next four pages are illustrated with colored photographs meant to capture the time of day while the rest of the pages are dedicated to providing the reader with a quoted poem for the atmosphere followed by a small paragraph from the author capturing the time of day in her life and/or its impression on her. This is then followed by various prints with some having some context to them and others just being prints with a name printed on the bottom of them.

My main issue is the fact that the author's medium of choice doesn't make for an easy interpretation of these various light stages with the exception of the night prints so the reader can take the prints at the author's value or of their own choice in many regards. But here is where the author makes up for that ambiguity since she includes the stories and memories that led to that particular print being made. And unlike other similar art type books it isn't a slog to read.

Angela Harding makes the book's writing simple to read and follow along while providing the reader access to her life not as an artist but as a woman who gets to experience these special moments just like we can if we take a moment. She sounds humble even when having experiences that many of us would hope for, she is attuned to the world around her whether traveling or at home while helping to bring the plight of her local fauna and flora to the reader at the same time thus reminding readers of the naturalists that had previously called the UK home before her.

Although a bit more abstractly non-realistic in some ways, her prints are beautifully done whether color has been added or whether it is the just the plain colors of her craft. And there are so many beautiful ones that I cannot even choose which ones to praise on or even say was my favorites such as the simple Ponies & Poppies, Shearwaters, Her Majesty's commemoration piece Queen's Swan At Night, The Cormorant & the Eel, Hedgehog At Alderney, Mouse Hiding or Spring Tulips & Lambs just to name a handful. I was surprised there were no prints about badgers, which seems to be almost a quintessential UK creature while an online search does show she does have have some badger prints.

All in all this was definitely a very enjoyable read and probably one of my most favorite for art books in quite a long time. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy nature, the UK and/or even are interested in the past naturalist diaries of the UK's past nature-based past.

[Barry Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Light: A Printmaker's Day & Night by Angela Harding is a stunning collection of her intricately crafted prints, all connected by the theme of natural light transitioning from day to night. This book features a selection of poems alongside Harding's personal memories of her travels on her boat, as well as her walks and bike rides around her hometown of Wing and the beautiful surrounding countryside and coast, including some reflections on her overseas adventures.
The primary focus of the collection is her prints depicting wildlife, ranging from urban foxes and birds to her beloved whippets and sighthounds. Each print evokes my own memories of exploring Essex and enjoying holidays in East Sussex, where I discovered my passion for wildlife and the tranquillity of the countryside—a perfect escape from a hectic work week.
My only critique of the book is that I wish there were more prints included. Harding's artwork is widely recognised, particularly for her cover design of The Salt Path, which is featured in this collection.
In conclusion, this is a delightful book that anyone who appreciates art and wildlife would cherish.

[Chris Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully presented colour collection of block and silkscreen prints by Angela Harding. I discovered the book as she illustrated the cover of Raynor Winn's The Salt Path. Angela Harding's narrative enhances the series of prints from dawn to dusk and darkness, with delightful depictions of birds, animals and English natural locations. I read through the book, which was both enjoyable and rewarding, but it could also be enjoyed by browsing the images. I thoroughly recommend this collection.

[Marghe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book with many author's illustrations, by catching different shades of lights during the day and in different seasons. Her printmaking are very inspiring.

"Light can be enjoyed and appreciated in so many ways, in different seasons and different weathers. The quality of the light we experience changes constantly; the thin light of winter and the shocking blast of the midday summer sun are two extremes. Observing nature and light inspires my printmaking."

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some beautiful prints through various methods. This is not an instruction manual but rather describes the author’s experiences and hence how the design of the print came about. My main interest is lino prints and this book has demonstrated how you can convey different textures and sensations through carving techniques. Amazing prints.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Gorgeous prints accompanied by text explaining the relationship between light during different times of day and the animals that we see and observe, and that the author captures in her prints.

[Helen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful prints and accompanying descriptions explaining night and day inspirations.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely artwork, largely birds.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous work!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book of engravings, block prints and drawings with natural themes.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a glorious book about Harding’s printmaking through the years.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So pretty - I love these pictures so much! Seems kind of silly to put it on here since it's really a book to look at.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely visual memoir from this accomplished printmaker and painter. I loved the organization around the seasons of the year and the theme of light. Restful and gorgeous.

[Tracy Cuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book and just love all the prints, something to pick up again and again

[E. G.]

Introduction

--Wild Light: A Printmaker's Day & Night

About the Author
Acknowledgements
Index

[Ash Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for balance (light and dark) for texture (thick lines, crosshatching, or squiggles) and for movement of the eye. A pleasure for the eyes.