How an old printing stone taught me patience
This summer, I took a lithography course in Amsterdam. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but from the moment I stepped into the studio—surrounded by grand old printing presses, colour rollers and stones—I was hooked.
The idea had been with me for a while. My sister-in-law is a lithographer, and I’ve long admired her prints and the way she talks about “the stone.” I wanted to understand it myself: how does this ancient craft work, and what secrets does it hold?
A lesson in patience
I thought I was signing up for a printmaking class. Instead, I signed up for patience. Lithography is all about the stone. The stone is the diva. Clean me. Rub me. Wash me. Do it again. Miss a step, or rush it, and the stone lets you know. No shortcuts, no forgiveness.
With Guus’s gentle guidance, I attuned myself to the rhythm. Moving at the stone’s pace, I felt each step slow me. Each careful step slowed me down, following the stone’s own pace.
On the second day, I pulled my first print. Watching the image emerge was astonishing—familiar yet unexpected. The stone had listened and left its own mark.
Then came the second layer of colour. More washing. More gum. More rubbing, drying and waiting. The cycle began again.
A quiet paradox
Two centuries ago, lithography represented progress: it made printing faster and cheaper. Today, its gift is the opposite—slowness and care. A quiet rebellion against the accelerating world outside the studio. The stone demands stillness
Have you practised an old craft or ritual that carried its own natural rhythm? I’d love to hear what it was like for you.
Thank you to Guus, the MK24 crew and my printmaking fellows for a week of ink, stone, and inspiration.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is nothing at all.
My business partner and friend Ewen Le Borgne and I are quietly developing “Rebel with Pause” – a new project exploring how small moments of stillness can help heal work culture and discover new possibilities. What if we gave ourselves and our teams permission to breathe? There’s something beautiful waiting in those pauses. We’re curious about what emerges when we stop rushing long enough to notice what’s actually needed.
If this whispers to you, we’d love to connect.
The bit at the end
Exciting events on the horizon to support your exploration:
- Join Street Wisdom in Amsterdam on Friday, 7th November at 16:00—slow down, stroll, and get delightfully lost on purpose. Sign up now to join! And there is a winter edition in Alkmaar, “gezellig” (cozy) and inspiring and always surprising.
- Join the next Unhurried Conversation—a space to slow down, listen, and connect. We meet every 2nd Monday of the month. It’s free, and you’re warmly welcome. Sign up here.
- For more Learning Moments, subscribe to my newsletter and get timely updates straight to your inbox.
Reach out, I’m always open for a chat.
Creatively,
Nadia
P.S.The paintings featured on the blog are my own.
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