Reduction linocut....

Ok, so I was going to show you the print after each colour, but that turned out to be a bit hard, as I was leaving it at the studio to dry after my class.  I'm only at the studio at night so the lighting is terrible.  Anyway, here's the finished piece (it's an edition of 8 - only one of which I'm not 100% happy with).

Longtime readers may recall (if you have Super Memory!) these ceramic insulators from a sneak peak of my home a few years ago.  I guess I collect them, but I'm very particular about what makes the cut (they have to be perfect and have an interesting maker's stamp).

I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out.

Reduction linocut - first colour....

Ok, so there's not much to see after the first printing, but that's just the way it should be. My image is made up of 6 tones, so it was important to get the first one a really light shade.  I've managed to create a lighter shade in this layer by lightly hatching the lino with a fine cutting tool.  You can see the lino here.

I've recut my lino for tomorrow night's class. Stay tuned for the results.

Reduction linocut....

I've been a bit unwell so have missed the last few printmaking classes, but it's good to be back!  Thankfully I don't seem to have missed too much, and am optimistic that I can catch up with my reduction linocut.  Above is my first layer, ready to print.  I REALLY want to cut the second colour, but as the name suggests, the lino is cut (reduced) between colours so until I print, I can't do anything (and I can't print until Thursday).  Sorry if my explanation of reduction linocuts is a bit light - google it for more information!

One thing I've learnt from doing these classes, is that printmakers are completely under appreciated!  The simplest looking prints can be extremely complex to produce.  

Baudin....

Really?!  A month since I last posted?!  Where does the time go....  I have my excuses, but I'll spare you as they're really lame.

So finally, here is the linocut of which I showed you a few snippets.  Of course I'm not totally happy with it, but I am really good at picking faults in what I do.  (Like this photo - great forehead reflection!!).  

The slightly exciting thing is that 'Baudin' is currently hanging in the Margaret River Cultural Centre as part of an exhibition in conjunction with the Readers and Writers Festival.  My first exhibition - I'd be more excited if I like the piece, or if I thought it was a good representation of my style (which it definitely is not).  Anyhoo, that's enough of trashing my own work for one night.  :)

*Nicolas Baudin was a French explorer who mapped much of the coast of Australia, particularly the west coast.  Where I live.

Collographs....

OK, I admit that when the printmaking class moved on to doing collographs, I was less than excited.  I mean, you make a collage by gluing stuff on some card.  Bore snore.  But then you coat it with shellac and it becomes a printing plate!  Unfortunately, I didn't put much effort into my plates (I was too busy rolling my eyes) but I'm still happy with some of the effects I ended up with.  I've now been inspired to do another plate, and am looking forward to shellacking it in this week's class.  (By which point I'll be over collographs again).

*I've taken a break from my linocut.  I'll show you a finished print when I end up with one I'm happy with.  Right now, we just need some space.  

Linocut 2....

Still plenty to do, but so far I'm happy with how it's going (which is not to say I wouldn't do things differently if I had the chance!).  This is just a detail - I'll show the full piece when I finish.

Linocut 1....

I think I have to stop titling my posts 'Print Thursday', as it seems to be the only thing I'm blogging about!  Last Thursday we started linocuts, something I've always wanted to try.  I've taken on quite an ambitious design (I think) but so far the cutting is going really well.  Of course, I won't know how it's really gone until I print this Thursday.  I might only get a proof done, as I've decided to use some of the monoprinting techniques I learned in the first class to print a background.  Stay tuned....

A better shot....

....of yesterday's print.

More Print Thursday....

So here it is - my monoprint from week 2 of my printmaking class.  I think I should've photographed it rather than scanning it, but hey, it's too dark now for decent photos.  Plus I think it's a bit wonky.  Just take my word that this image does not do it justice.  Moving on....

The yellow was printed through some crazy 70's polyester curtain material, making the grid pattern and also embossing the paper.  I printed the black lines by cutting pieces of paper to block out most of the drawing.  The black at the bottom was an afterthought because it didn't seem finished without it.  I inked the surface very lightly so that the black ink was thin enough to pick up the embossing.  

I'm really happy with it.  This Thursday we start linoprinting and already my design is wildly ambitious.  Hopefully I can pull it off.

Print Thursday....

OK, let me start by saying that yes, I know it's not Thursday.  Now that's of the way....

A couple of Thursday's ago I started attending a printmaking class.  2 weeks in and I'm loving it.  The first week was spent playing around with monoprints.  I created about 20 (quite prolific, apparently!) and the one above is a favourite even though it's far simpler than many I made (it makes me think of a wine glass stain).  The one below is a collage of the torn paper used to make the one above.  The second class was spent making one monoprint, so obviously a lot more thought went into that one.  I'll show you that print tomorrow.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.