Honor Upon Honor

Here are the hands of my friend. My friend who was the catalyst that lit the fuse that touched off the art inferno in my life. He is hanging a piece on his wall by the artist whose work made me choose linocut as a medium. Right next to that is a piece I made. I was bowled over by this moment. My memory of it will always be clearer than this photo... which I guess means that it might get rather blurry and yellow over time.

Here's the artwork:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/12713584/merman-original-linocut

And the hands:
http://www.harpmusic.com/

#29 - Hamlet Poster - In Which the Fountain Splits

Today was a long day in the studio. A bit grueling, but very successful. I did my first real split fountain, and I think it came out really well. Always trying to learn new things. The first step in the process was sort of ridiculous: I spent nearly two hours just mixing ink to get the right color. The rest of the process went like this:
Get the inks and brayers all raring to go...

Ink up the title...

Ink up the middle...

Ink up the gradation at the bottom...

Ink up the gradation at the top...

Press that sucker... Lather, rinse and repeat 28 times.

#29 - Welcome to Linochadia

I got the big OK from the director, and off we go! This should be a pretty straightforward piece. The only thing that will require a little futzing around will be the split fountain background.

Here's the first block, waiting in anticipation of the gouge:

And here it is, all done, waiting in anticipation of the ink:

I've made buckets of linochad already, and my studio is Linochadia. Ah, the feel of strips of lino stuck to the bottom of one's feet! Track it 'round, I say! Track it everywhere! Track it to the outskirts of our fair home!

#29 - Hamlet Is Finally Feeling Final, And That's That.

I really have drawn this to death. Even the guy in the mirror died, right? This piece feels ready to print. I just need to get feedback from the director of the play. I hope he gives me the thumbs up, but if not, his input is always excellent and helpful. All of his suggestions have led to better sketches. There's no reason not to improve on this, so I'm ready for whatever he says.

I've had to distill things down to be more basic so that the various parts of the composition harmonize rather than do battle with each other. Also, certain elements started looking like other things: the circle looked like an eyeball, the fleur de lis (which are now gone) looked like Dickensian lamp posts - things like that. Now everything looks like what it is supposed to be. I'm going for the look of nature growing up into the man made.

#29 - Hamlet, Hamlet, Hamlet

I've sketched, cut, pasted, Sharpied, White-Outed, photocopied and stared at this poster. I've been working on it pretty much every day since my last post, but I haven't been happy with anything I've made until now. It has been a difficult process, especially the not liking it part. I think I've finally achieved a visual harmony, with all of the elements marrying well. I'm beginning to love it, and am looking forward to doing a final sketch.

So, here's the latest.