Color #9 went down without a fuss. Since it was only a tiny orange-red shape I cut a mask and inking and burnishing proceeded without mishap. I was quite tickled when this little tiny shape gave purpose and meaning to the yellow and orange blobs of some days ago.
And then there was Color #10.
In the finished piece this color is only present in long, thin areas, but there are a good number of them. Cutting a mask would be almost impossible and not really solve anything, so I did some judicious inking and focused on more selective burnishing to get good color adhesion in the critical areas. This meant there would be extra color where it DIDN'T belong, but the last color would cover this up. Theoretically. Remember the little issue long about Color #5 or 6?
EEK! This looks scary, doesn't it? Looks like the whole thing has fallen apart. Don't panic. Don't panic. One more color to go.
Whew! This morning Color #11 went on and everything held together. It was a pretty tedious burnish, my wrists and fingers are sore, but I am satisfied with the result. I'll get a better shot in the next day or two, after a little drying happens and the glare goes off the wet ink, but I wanted to share the immediate relief of completion (ooooh... printmaking pun not intended) with you.
But wait.What's this?
another one?! ;) great :D
ReplyDeleteThe little butterfly makes a great focal point. the dark colour does a great job making things pop off the paper
hmm reading that comment over, I realised that the first part might be taken the wrong way. I am really looking forward to seeing another lino :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat green really was a nail-biter, wasn't it? I have no idea how that last color got rid of the unwanted areas of green, but it sure did. The reduction method is truly baffling to me...
ReplyDeletefabulous print, I don't know how you fathom it all out!
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely. Amazing how the last plate (if that's the right term) pulls it all together. Love the textures on the bark and, well, I just like the whole darn thing!
ReplyDeleteHi all! Thanks for the cheering section (and the bafflement section, too!). I admit there's a certain amount of disbelief on my part when everything turns out... not always the way I envision it, mind you, but it turns out! Most of the time I'm just feeling my way forward and it's nice to know you all have my back.
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous print! Makes me want to poke around those leaves and see if there are any mushrooms hiding there.
ReplyDeleteVery, very, nice.
The detail simply amazes me - this is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteScrub oak - right? :-D Gorgeous. I will never look at scrub oak the same again. You have managed to tweek my vision just enough to see this lovely plant in a whole new light. I do thank you for that.
Lindy
Mushrooms? Katka, you should see our yard! We've a pine tree with mushrooms under it the size of your open hand. No idea what they are... the critter take bites out of them but never finish.
ReplyDelete;-) Yes, indeed, Lindy, the nemesis oak. Like a lot of things, not so bad once you get to know it. I have friends who live in scrub oak country, and each year they bring in an oak with its ochre leaves for December instead of a pine to decorate. It's really quite lovely, and certainly their action made me look at them in a new way, too. Fun, huh?
Hi Sherrie, Speaking of decorating with scrub oak - there is a retired couple living off-grid outside the Saguache area who decorates a scrub oak for the holidays. Here in the desert I once brought in a century plant that had bloomed and died (it was rather small) and did the same thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, fun! :-D
Lindy
PS - wishing you a really wonderful and creatively fulfilling time in Utah.
Wow, wow, wow. Stunning piece!!
ReplyDeleteJen
I love the oak leaf print. Thank you for sharing your process. I'll be following you on the new one.
ReplyDeleteI wondered how you got he green lines to work! It has been fascinating seeing how you have worked this print, which is my favourite one of all, I just love it.
ReplyDelete