From Field Sketch to Finished Print: How Nevada’s Landscape Shapes Every Stage of Craig Mitchell’s Work

Key Takeaways

• Field sketches ground Craig Mitchell’s work in real, on-site observation of Nevada and Lake Tahoe landscapes. 
• Simplification is central to Craig’s block printing process, allowing essential forms and rhythms to emerge clearly.
• Finished prints reflect lived experience and long-term observation, rather than literal imitation of a scene.
• By prioritizing process, Craig creates work with greater depth, clarity, and lasting meaning for collectors.

How a Landscape Becomes a Block Print

Every finished block print begins outdoors. Craig Mitchell’s process starts with direct observation—sketching and studying Nevada and Lake Tahoe landscapes on location. These early field studies are not about recording every detail. Instead, they focus on mood, structure, and the way light moves across a place.

Rather than serving as literal blueprints, these sketches act as visual memory. They capture what stands out in the moment and what lingers after leaving the site. Over time, this practice builds familiarity, allowing Craig to work from experience rather than reference alone.

Translating Nature into Simplified Form

Back in the studio, the landscape is distilled rather than copied. Craig reduces complex scenes into essential shapes, clarifies spatial relationships, and emphasizes rhythm and movement within the composition. This stage is less about replication and more about decision-making.

Block printing demands intention. Every carved line must earn its place, because once it’s cut, it can’t be undone. Simplification isn’t about removing character—it’s about revealing it. What remains is a clear, purposeful image shaped by observation and restraint.

What Changes—and What Remains

The final print isn’t a replica of the landscape. It’s a response to it. Details may fall away, but the character of the place remains—the sense of light, space, and atmosphere that made it worth returning to in the first place.

This is why Craig’s Nevada and Lake Tahoe prints feel familiar without being literal. They reflect lived experience rather than a single moment frozen in time.

Why This Process Matters to Collectors

Understanding this process adds depth to the finished work. Collectors gain insight into the discipline behind each print, the balance between observation and interpretation, and the reason no two pieces feel accidental or overly polished. The value isn’t just in the final image—it’s in the choices made along the way. From field sketch to finished print, each stage reflects Craig Mitchell’s long-term artistic practice, resulting in work that feels intentional, grounded, and enduring.

FAQs

Do artists sketch landscapes before making prints?

Many do. Field sketches help capture light, mood, and structure, serving as visual memory rather than exact reference.

Why don’t block prints include every detail?

Simplification strengthens composition and emotional impact, allowing the most important elements of the landscape to stand out.