honeybee key block proof

honeybee key block proof, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Once again this is intended as my first multi-block piece. This is the key block. Hopefully, the finished print will have black, yellow and red. I'm planning on having the red and yellow cross hatched to form a fourth color.

Trying to get it finished, scanned and burned to a cd by a week from today for the Rockford Midwestern biennial show. I've actually carved out the red block and will begin the yellow block tonight. That is further than I've gotten before. One baby step at a time.

This is so nerve wracking! I don't know how some of you do the reduction method of printmaking - I would just be a mess! I would be so afraid that something would be messed up early in and, as you know, once it has been removed from the block it is gone forever. Let me repeat that FOR-EV-ER!

Tonight I'll be framing the "Coy Pond" prints that sold at the Bliss Bead show. I went to Michaels to get my favorite frames called Wild Wood, the only problem was they are not wood anymore - they're plastic. What the heck?!? I thought the wooden version looked so nice with the prints. They have a wide 3 inches of wood and are very plain. They remind me of Craftsman frames. So, now I'll have to locate some more. Maybe I could learn to make them myself? Ohh... I just thought of something. What if I framed my block prints in a frame that is carved similar to what the block would look like? Then it could be oiled to heighten the detailing. There's a thought. Opps! I'm rambling... I'd better get back to work.

"Man-Child" - B&W

"Man-Child" - B&W, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

I am beginning to understand the neccesity of good quality materials when making a print. My technique, I think, is improving as well. This last set of prints I noticed the ink was just right when it was rolled with light pressure yet stuck to the glass as if there was a vaccuum. A little ink goes a long way. Before I tried to slop a bunch on. Now I understand that I don't have to forcebly roll the ink on the block, gentle pressure is enough. Plus, I'm less likely to put ink smudges on the areas of white space. This paper is amazing. Sometimes the hemp fibers fall off and attach themselves to the block. I have to keep an eye for this and pick the fibers off, but is is worth it. The paper soaks the ink in without feathering. I'm left with a crispness I didn't see in the kitakata - although I love that paper, too, but for different reasons. Black ink on white Kinwahi paper.
Available at my shop.

*** Kinwahi paper is Machinemade in Japan of 100% manila hemp. These translucent sheets are embedded with short straight fibers. One side of the sheet is very smooth and ideal for lithography, monoprinting, wood cut, and linoleum cut printing. Although called a white paper, these sheets have a slight buff/eggshell color to them.

Yellow Lady Slipper Pen & Ink

Yellow Lady Slipper Pen & Ink, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

The flower itself doesn't look as delicate as I want, but that's ok. I'll just do it again. Maybe I'll take out some of the extraneous background stuff: too busy.

Uploaded by pejnolan on 29 Jun 08, 8.16PM CDT.