#17 - Testing... Testing... 1-2-3

Last week I went to see an exhibit of Japanese woodblock prints at the legion of honor. All of the prints there were done with a block for each color, and used registration guides cut into each block to register the colors together. I wanted to do a test of the sketch for the Comedy of Errors poster to see if I could do this technique, and to see if I could carve the intricate lines, so I just did a small portion of the image. Five colors!

The registration technique is very effective, and I didn't struggle with the carving. I am pleased with how well I was able to reproduce my drawing, even with the cruddy water-based ink I had to use to do this test (oil-based takes a day to dry, so this would have taken five days). The black would be more crisp in oil-based ink, so the detail could look even better.

I really, really hope that the sketch is a hit and that I get the (volunteer) job! It's difficult not to doubt myself and wonder why I just spent many hours making this little test. I continue to to have to remind myself at every step that one of my goals is to get over that doubt - so what if it's bad? I like it!

Click for a closer view.