Currently I am carving a fun block inspired by Star Trek. You will have to wait until I finish for a full picture, but here is a part of the block that is finished: Check back soon for more pictures!
My latest project is the first of my Grotesque Series. Eventually I will carve a collection of enlarged, woodcut versions of medieval marginal grotesques. The word “grotesque” in medieval manuscripts refers to the strange, fantastic, and/or distorted figures that populated the margins of the manuscript pages. I actually just finished carving this block, but here is a photo of it half
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My latest listing on Etsy has just gone live! It is a hand-colored version of “Don’t Play Koi with Me!” I used calligraphy inks and watercolors for the color. Also, I added a calligraphy gold ink in the tail and body to make the koi fish scales pop! Click on the image to see the Etsy listing and more photographs!
My latest print, Zodiac, was inspired by Chinese cut paper designs. The border pattern is a traditional design, and I really wanted to print it in a bright red to mimic the traditional color of the cut-paper. I finally got my printing equipment back after the move, so I was dying to use my little Richeson “baby” etching press. This
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When getting your press set up and ready to print, you have to make certain adjustments based on the variable height of parts of your block and the pressure on the press. You definitely want to make these adjustments BEFORE you start messing with ink. The best way to do this is to “Dry Proof.” Essentially, this is just running
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Sometimes artists make mistakes. I am definitely one of those artists. In woodcut or wood-engraving, the mistake usually occurs when the carving tool slips and carves/gauges out areas you really, really didn’t want to carve. For example, while carving the Mac Plus block, I managed to make a serious mistake and my tool slipped right through the outer edge. Luckily
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Printmakers love Resingrave for its ability to hold crisp lines and details. It resists bruising and, thanks to the new formula, it seldom chips. Unfortunately, our designs don’t always fit exactly on the block and we are left trying to figure out the best way to carve out large blocks of space. George Alexander Walker, author of The Woodcut Artist’s
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I realize that I mention McClain’s on a fairly regular basis, but I have never explained what it is. McClain’s Printmaking Supplies is an online store for everything related to woodblock printmaking and engraving. They specialize in relief printmaking materials including carving tools, woodblocks, ink, paper, and sharpening tools. This is also where I purchase my Resingrave Blocks and engraving
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