Posted in Technique Notes, 18 May 2009
Building up a printed image in layers may take several woodblocks.
Blocks are selected for the different properties of their wood type. I tend to use shina veneer, which is relatively easy to cut and has a smooth grain. When I need a rougher surface, the shina can be burnt slightly and rubbed to raise the grain; alternatively I use other woods.
The wood is usually cut away to create a relief image for printing.
Before printing the block is soaked with water. This keeps the colour on the surface of the block, rather than being sucked into the wood.
Tags: relief, woodblocks
Posted in Technique Notes, 18 May 2009
Colour is evenly brushed in a thin layer onto the woodblock, then left until it appears to start to dry. At this point, a sheet of the dampened paper is put in position with the aid of a registration guide.
A thin piece of paper, or plastic, is placed over the paper to be printed; then carefully but quickly rubbed over with a baren.
This process is repeated for each colour, building up the image in layers. For a rich saturation, apply the same colour again.
Tags: baren, colour, paper, printing
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Whilst on a short residency in Norway, I started experimenting with plastic and polystyrene containers as objects to wrap my prints around. Read on »
Tags: diptych, North Sea, Norway, objects
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: four irregular oval shapes 17 x 12cm, 17 x 12cm, 16 x 11cm, 13 x 9cm
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around oval panels
Materials: koso washi paper, four oval wooden panels, gesso, rice paste, Japanese pigments, sumi ink, Lascaux archival UV spray
Tags: North Sea, Norway, objects, orange, oval, yellow
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: 40 x 2.5 x 2cm and 26 x 4.5 x 4cm
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around piano parts
Materials: koso washi paper, wood, recycled ivory, rice paste, Japanese pigments, sumi ink, gesso, animal glue, Lascaux archival UV spray
Tags: diptych, ivory, North Sea, Norway, objects, yellow
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: circular panel 26cm diameter, triangular support 50 x 5cm
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around wood and card
Materials: koso washi paper, wood and card, rice paste, Japanese pigments, sumi ink, graphite, gesso, nikawa binder, Lascaux archival UV spray
Tags: circular, diptych, North Sea, Norway, objects, orange, triangular, yellow
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: 29 x 10cm
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around bamboo
Materials: koso washi paper, bamboo, rice paste, Japanese pigments, sumi ink, graphite, gesso, nikawa binder (animal glue), Lascaux archival UV spray
Tags: bamboo, North Sea, Norway, objects, red, yellow
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: each oval shape is approx 11 x 7.25cm
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around molded plastic
Materials: koso washi paper, molded plastic object painted with blue acrylic, sumi ink, Japanese pigments, nikawa binder (animal glue), rice paste, Lascaux archival UV spray
Tags: diptych, North Sea, Norway, objects, oval, plastic, pod, red
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Size: 31 x 17 x 2.5cm, 30 x 16 x 2.5cm
Media: Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around supports
Tags: diptych, North Sea, Norway, objects, yellow
Posted in Fjord Series, 17 May 2009
Media: watercolour woodblock printing wrapped around supports
Tags: diptych, North Sea, Norway, objects, red