#27 - The Violin is Done!

I put this on the scanner wet:

Click to Embiggen

This print was an adventure. I got to go down new paths and make new discoveries around each corner.

#27 - Bet You Still Can't Guess What It Is . . .

Please excuse this woeful excuse for a photo. The camera batteries are dead, so iPhone saves the day. The darkest green is really much lighter, and the yellow is brighter. Trust me: it looks more harmonious. So, this is up to four colors, and I'm done with the first block. The next block will contain the mysterious creature, the flowers and some accents on the background. I'm very excited about it, and can't wait to get back into my studio to carve and print.

By the way, the press is amazing. The prints are so much cleaner, and it's now rare for me to completely flub a print. I can print lickity split. It used to take many moons.

#27 - Can You Guess?

I'm not going to reveal the sketch so you can watch the image unveiling.

Also:

A big, heavy pile of lino. This will be enough for at least 11 prints.

#26 - Better Image of Final

Taking Stock

This blog is about my progress as I learn linocut techniques and discover how to fearlessly make art. It's also about creating an inventory of 60 items for my ArtFire store. Recently, I had several of my reduction prints made into greeting cards, and some of my images can be hand printed onto blank greeting cards. As a result, I have more "items" than I have pieces of art. Overall I now have 39 items with a wide variety of price points. Only 21 more to go. I'm going to be focusing on 8x10 and 9x12 color reduction prints. I'm looking forward to making all that art. I'm excited to see what will happen.

#26 - Another Color, and Another, and Another

Color Number Three

Color Number Four

Color Number Five, and... all done!

Close Up

#26 - Koi - Second Color

#26 - Koi Again

I really enjoy the koi that I made for the people on our Christmas list. I thought it would be fun to do some more koi, but this time as an 8 x 10 reduction print.

This sketch is pretty loose because I would like to be a bit more free and easy in my carving. The carving will be challenging, so I want as much wiggle room as possible. I'm getting better and envisioning what will happen when the color goes down.

#25 - Boxer - A Better Image of the Final

Click to embiggen.

#25 - I Can Haz Cheezburger?

It was so hard to wait and print patiently through this print's gawky teenager stage. What a challenge it was to trust that it would work out like I expected it. But I trusted, and it actually turned out better than I expected. I'm very happy with this print.

Here are the sketch and final print side by side:

#25 - Boxer - Seven Passes Through the Press

I've been reluctant to share my progress with this print of Boxer. I have been using the second plate, which has resulted in this kitty looking like an evil zombie cat. I have a few more colors to print, including black, which will bring him back to normal.

This print has been a good learning experience for me because I've seen how I can "wing it", and use the printing technique a little more like painting. The printing press has enabled that to happen. The process of printing another color is faster and so much easier physically. Looks like I'm headed toward 9 colors all together, and as a result there is a lot of depth to the image.

#25 - Boxer - Second Color

I wish I could do more than one color in a day, but there is too much carving. I also have a life! It would be delightful to have the stamina to draw, carve and print - AND do laundry, cook, clean, teach, etc.

I want to get some yellow onto this print tomorrow. We shall see if I get enough time to carve the second block. It's about 25% complete...it's loading...it's buffering. I'm thinking in computer language, even while doing analog tasks.

#25 - Boxer - Thinking, Cutting, Registering, Printing.

I was happy enough with my revised sketch to get going on carving. I decided to make two plates: one for all the grays and black, and the other for the yellows and rust. I'm undecided on the green. I might put a bit in at the end, just after the black. I love that trio of colors (yellow, rust and green). I'm going to see how it goes as it takes shape.

The print is just about the maximum size I can do on my press, so I had to set up the registration differently than I'm used to. Behold:

Yes, that's an eraser cut from the top of a pencil and hot glued onto a piece of foam core. Isn't it just mahvelous?

Here's the whole set up:

I go through duct tape like a meticulous gaffer.

I cut the paper extra wide and punched holes. The paper goes on the "pins". You get the idea.

And check out my awesome press blanket:

I choose you, Pokemon playmat!