Thursday, May 11, 2017

A simple approach-FIN/BALENA


I'm trying to encourage the students and artists that take my 2-day class to keep things really simple.
This year I'll also be bringing a couple of simple prints for those that didn't bring drawings or who want to focus on the cutting and printing rather than creating (during the class) a personal image.

I usually recommend that they avoid line drawings--except sparingly or with particularly thick lines--to avoid having critical parts of a drawing fall off or to watch them spend too much time carving too few blocks and losing out on exploring the printing aspect of Japanese woodblock when having a guide is very useful.


I've been doodling these Fin Whales for a good bit.  I hope to try a fairly big, semi-abstract version based on simple shapes and blocks of color--and for this small test print I took the same approach--working from a simple cut-out paper collage to decide on the shapes and placement.

This is the hasty proof I took today.
One block of Okoume plywood selectively inked to allow two colors.
I'll carve another 2 blocks to make this a simple, 3 block print to use as a demo for my next workshop. While simple in concept, there's a lot of room for experimentation.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Class Preparation for Moku Hanga; a Non-Linear approach.


I'm getting ready for my upcoming Moku Hanga workshops and there's LOTS to do: 
  -Sharpen 8 sets of Powergrip tools.
  -Make another 4 floating Kentos to replace those that "vanished" after my last class. 
  -Cut proofing and Japanese paper into 5"x8" sheets.
  -Rewrite my handouts (again) in English and Italian versions.
  -Make a trip to the copy store to print a few more flyers for my next classes. 
  -Organize the contemporary and antique prints, catalogs and books I bring as reference works.

  -MAKE another simple demo print for the next class (An excuse to make a new woodblock print rather than do the other things on the list.....). 
Guess which of these tasks I'll start first thing tomorrow?