The Cloud Citadel (Cross-Hatch Edition) - paper

2026-04-15T10:39:53+10:00

A Tribute to Ancient Engineering and Lost History

"The Cloud Citadel" is a study of the impossible. As a former toolmaker, I have spent my life obsessing over precision. When I look at Machu Picchu—stones cut so perfectly that not even a knife blade can fit between them, all without modern tools—I don't just see ruins; I see a masterpiece of engineering.

It is my way of honoring the discipline of the Inca builders, while capturing the misty, dreamlike atmosphere that clings to the peaks.

About the Cross-Hatch Edition: I created this piece using a "bank note" engraving style to mimic the look of an antique explorer’s map. I used thousands of fine, cross-hatched lines to build the mountains and the city from the ground up. This technique requires immense patience—layering ink to create depth and shadow without losing the crisp definition of the stonework.

● The Architect’s Edition (Monochrome/Black & White): A stark, high-contrast version that focuses entirely on the line work. This strips away the distraction of colour to highlight the raw geometry and structure of the ruins.