Printing continues to be slow in the new year, although I now have two larger linocuts mounted and drawn and ready to start carving. A batch of "white" Awagami Kozo arrived two days ago and yesterday I trimmed it down to size for the 12 x 18-inch block that's next in the queue. I'm excited to start it, but also a little bit nervous.
In the meantime, I've been working in fits and starts on this small landscape. The last time you saw it it had just the blue sky and tiny violet hillside in place, but a fair amount has happened since then. Naturally I kept forgetting to take the camera to the studio, so two steps are undocumented. So far it's gone like this:
1) Blue (stenciled)
2) Violet (stenciled)
3) Transparent yellow (no photo)
4) Deeper yellow (still no photo)
5) Green-to-ochre blend (above)
6) Deeper ochre on only the lower half (lousy photo).
This edition is being printed on the "natural" color Awagami Kozo, and I'm trying to maintain only moderate pressure on the baren as I print each color. This means the texture of the paper is a little more pronounced, but I'm hoping it also means the colors will remain more luminous. Fingers crossed. Well, not really. It's too difficult to carve and print that way.
I always think of the creation of your prints as something akin to archaeology or digging for buried treasure, especially as you show us the process of making each one. You are the archaeologist or the treasure hunter, and we, your blog readers, are observers looking over your shoulder as you carefully scrape and sift to make what lies beneath appear. I love how things begin to appear with each pass, the end result becoming more and more clear, while at the same time also remaining hidden until you have the final product. I love seeing what looks for the longest time like a random splotch of blue or orange suddenly transform into a butterfly or a flower or the colorful flash of a bird's rump patch. I love seeing the process almost as much as I love the final product. Thank you!
ReplyDeletei didn't actually know anything about reduction linocutting before i started reading your blog, its been very helpful and started me on to another art addiction :p
ReplyDeletehmm maybe cross your toes instead? :p
Ooh... I like the archaeology metaphor! Gracias, Canicas! And thanks for the confirmation that Brush and Baren remains a useful and interesting effort.
ReplyDelete(giggle) Jennifer, I can just see me trying to cross my toes... I'd end up on the floor in no time. But it's a good idea for someone more graceful than I.