#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.

#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 - 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 - Refined Sketch

I like how this shaped up. Now: how to deal with the colors. I know I don't want brown, but rather a burgundy color. I'm going to use two blocks like I did with the scorpion. I need to think this out with a clear head before I start carving, but I'm hankering to get started! And it does look like Boxer, so it's a good portrait.

#23 - I didn't make this, but I will put it in my store, so it counts!

My daughter drew this, and I carved it. It's 2"x3". Tiny! I really like it. I think I will put it on a card. Here's another print she drew and carved:

Imaginative and well carved. Well done, child!

#19 - Three Colors in One Day

Seven colors. Not too shabby. I have to say that using two blocks for this was an excellent way to get warm and cool colors together while still using the reduction method. I can't imagine carving seven blocks and having it turn out with reasonable registration. I only had to set up the registration board twice, so it looks pretty tight. The colors are eye-popping. It's a fun print.

So, I'm up to 20 prints. One third of the way there!

#19 - Scorpion - Fourth Color...Blue

The last blue is electric blue. It has a hint of turquoise. Now the colors are really popping, and looking good. I was biting my nails through the other blues.

#19 - Scorpion - Two Colors Carved

I realized last night that I still need to start with the lightest color. That is yellow. So, I carved the second block for the yellow, and I'm ready to roll.

Now comes the tedious cutting of paper. I also need to decide how many prints I want to make. I am concerned about running into registration issues and having lots of ruined prints. I'm inclined to make 35 so that I will have lots to ruin. Worst case is that I wear myself out printing it. I'm looking forward to getting a press. I need $569, and every bit of money that comes in is going to be earmarked for the press. My shoulders do not like hand printing!

I made a little proof print to see if the carving is accurate. It looks pretty good. I only see one little place that is misaligned, but it's very minor. These are NOT the colors - it's just a test print.

#19 - The Process

I have had several people ask me to describe the process of creating a multicolored linocut print, so I've decided to show my process more carefully for the Scorpion.

I took the sketch and made a final black and white drawing. I transferred that drawing onto two pieces of linoleum. I have switched to unmounted linoleum because it's far cheaper. I went to Tap Plastics and bought a few groovy bowling ball style plexiglass scraps. I used a temporary glue to bond the linoleum to the plexi. This is the first time I've tried this linoleum, and it's excellent. I bought it from McClain's Printmaking Supplies. It's from the Netherlands ("Oh, sir, I did not look so low.").

I am basically going to do two reduction prints to create piece. I can't print the hot yellow and red over blues. That just wouldn't work. Therefore, one block will provide the blues for the background, and the other will be the warm colors.

I will be doing three shades of blue. I've carved the first shade. I carved out the areas I want to leave white. I slapped a little ink on the plate so you can get the gist of it. This is not the color I will be printing first (it will be light blue).

#20 - Completed Butterfly

I finished this up lickity-split. I'm getting faster at all this carving and printing. I'm also getting more capable of printing neatly and meticulously. Slowly but surely, I'm upgrading to equipment that is designed for relief printing. It all shows in the completed pieces.

I was just looking at my Comedy of Errors print last night and realizing that the piece is a stepping stone. Someday I will look at that print the way I look at prints I did five months ago when I started all this. They look like I was still trying to figure it all out. I think I will still be pleased with The Comedy of Errors, but I have confidence that I will be able to surpass it. Or maybe I'll just a be a one hit wonder!

The scorpion drawing is calling to me. I want to do my final artwork for that, and get the color separations done. Then I get to do my favorite part: carving... leaving "lino-chad" all over the house.

#20 - Between Meal Snack

I working on this little (4"x6") reduction print just for fun. Mostly to try my new supplies, and also as a gift. It will be four colors.

#19 - Redrawn Scoprion

I pitched the Day of the Dead motif. Too busy, and without the skull element, lacking. So, I came up with this drawing. I like it, and so do all my peeps. I'm not sure what motif this is. Maybe it's the "Karen likes it" motif.

I will do a final redraw just to get all the details worked out, and then start carving the black plate. The piece will be 6"x8" and will have 5 colors. I've switched to unmounted linoleum, so I won't have to use a whole piece for every color. The red and yellow-gold can be on smaller pieces.

I will be using my new Registration Board from McClain's Printmaking Supplies. It's similar to what I'm already using, but will work better (I hope!) Stay tuned.

#19 - The Scorpion Begins

Here's my first sketch for the scorpion I want to make. I think this needs lots more detail - encrusted with details in black. It looks too feminine right now, and I really am going for a masculine look. Also, the subject matter reminded me of the Day of the Dead style of art. I want to tip my hat a bit more intensely towards that. So, I probably have a few more sketches to go, but I'm off to a solid start.

I will make the scorpion stand out with heavier lines. I really like the bright colors - electric blue, yellow-gold and screaming red. I want it to jump of the page and sting you!

#17 - Bitsy Little Four Color Leaf

I cranked out this little guy in three hours. It's four colors. The square is 1.5 inches wide, to give you an idea of size (what you see on the screen it about acutal size). It's really small! But, it was fun to make, and a nice way to end the day.

#16 - Dancer - Oh, The Humanity!

Here's a good start to the day: waste seven prints trying to register the colors. Fortunately, I flubbed most of the green prints, and the second color looks pretty bad over the green. Looks nice on the blue. The next color is going to be coppery.

In spite of all my hard work, most the prints are still off register slightly. There are a few that are good enough, though. I guess I just need one!

The ink is luxurious and long-lasting. I used far less ink than I would have had I used Speedball Inks. So, these are thrifty inks, in spite of their astonishing price tag.

Here are a few photos of the second color. The color in the photos is not accurate. It has more of a copper cast to it.

#16 - Dancer - Ready to Print Second Color

Here's a proof of the carving for the second color. My ballet position consultant will notice that there is a wonky line on her lower foot. Have no fear: it will get carved off momentarily. Can't wait to dig into my cans of Caligo ink and slop the stuff around with a palette knife. Delish! Tomorrow...

#16 - Ballet Dancer is Doing the Jig

I pulled ten prints, and it took about two hours. Each print took a great deal of inking time because my large brayer is ruined, so I was forced to use my 1.5" wide brayer on this 9x12" block. Rollin', rollin', rollin'.

I wasn't able to mix the color I wanted because the Speedball blue (the only blue they make) has too much green in it. When mixed with white, it takes on more of a teal hue. It does look blue in the photos above, but in reality it's more greenish. I intend to upgrade my ink to a much finer printer's ink ASAP. The set I want comes with 16 colors, and let's just say that it will take awhile to pay for itself.

I'm going to pull another ten prints in a completely different color scheme so that I can increase the likelihood of having a piece that's pleasing. I have no idea what color. I also have no idea what I will carve out for the next unknown color. Mysterious adventure...