County Derry 1959

John De Pol created this print, County Derry, using wood engraving, a technique that demands precision. Look at how he’s carved the sky – those clean, parallel lines give the clouds weight. It’s like he’s sculpting the air. The black and white contrast is stark, but within that, you see such subtle variations in tone. It’s all about texture, isn’t it? The rough, almost scratchy marks in the foreground make the houses feel solid, rooted to the land. The path leading up into the hills is particularly cool. It draws your eye in, winding through the landscape, connecting the foreground to the distant hills. The piece reminds me of Rockwell Kent's graphic landscapes; both artists share a love for strong, simplified forms. Ultimately, this print shows us that art isn’t about perfection; it’s about exploring the world through process. It’s about feeling your way through the dark and the light, the rough and the smooth, and finding your own voice in the conversation.