Unfortunate situation for Cafe

Attempted to print the Cafe print this morning and with the help of the Tack Reducer I had some initial success.  Unfortunately things took a turn for the worst and I realized that none of the prints registration was matching up.  The paper initially was tight on the pegs and I noticed that this was not the case this time around.  

I had already printed mutliple prints when I also noticed that the ink was starting to mimic the issues that I had previously.  So since I'm having major issues with both the ink and the now the registration I've decided to bring this project to a complete stop.  I can no longer go back and reprint the the first two colors since I've carved that part of the block away.

It's unfortunate and I've never stopped working on a piece before due to issues, but since there are so few of this piece left to create an actual edition of quality prints I've decided to end it here.

I still have the initial tracing of this piece and may wind up trying to transfer the image again to a new block and start over, but for the time being I have other prints that I'm interested in getting going.

Below are some images of the issues that I encountered today:

 

(The left image shows the surface texture from the ink laying oddly as well as the filling in the intricate lines.  The right image and the one below also show the mis-registration and texture.)

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #printmakingproblems #printingfail

Hi-Land Dodge and Cafe updates

Completed the tracing of the background trees behind the Dodge truck this morning.  Going to transfer this over to a lino tomorrow morning since I have to start to get ready for work.  I also bought some new Sharpie markers in various colors to try out color coding the entire linocut.

Once the drawing is transferred to the block, I'll start to trace it over with my new markers.  Excited to start work on this new piece.

I've also received a new can of Gamblin Hansa Yellow and a Gamblin Tack Reducer.  From the feedback I've gotten from Gamblin and other printmakers it seems that this tack reducer is possibly going to be the answer to some of my problems.  I'll admit though that I'm nervous about trying it out...

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #Gamblin #HansaYellow #TackReducer #Dodge #ZionNationalPark #TradingPost #ZionParkRV

Hi-Land - New 9x12 - 5 color reduction

 

"Hi-Land" - 9x12 - 5 color reduction print

Starting to begin a new piece while waiting on some new ink and a tack reducer for the Cafe linocut.

This is an image of a photo that I took of an old Dodge truck located at the Trading Post and/or the Zion Park RV on UT-9 which just outside the eastern entrance/exit of Zion National Park.  After taking the picture, I had considered making it into linocut and have finally decided to pursue making it.  Originally I intended it on being a full color reproduction, but have now decided to make it a monochromatic (single color with varying tints and shades of that color).

Surprising to me I have almost completely used up an almost brand new 4B pencil.  Since some of the details are very fine I have to continue sharpening the pencil and now it's almost done, but then...so is the image.  I only have the upper right hand corner of the image left to complete.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #truck #dodge #Hi-Land #ZionNationalPark #TradingPost #ZionParkRV

Cafe update - Inking issues

So yesterday I managed to pull a print of the orange neon tubing that is in parts of the Cafe sign.  If you look closely at the image above, you'll see that things did not work out so well.  The ink did not transfer so well to the print and came off very splotchy.  It adhered in some places and not others leaving a very textured surface on the print.

 

Here are two detail shots of the area which had the worst transfer.  You can see the texture and in the left image you can see where the ink filled in the thin cut (bottom 1/3).

I do not claim to be an expert at this process and have sought out help from other printers in hopes of figuring this out.  Some recommendations were too add some oil to the ink to reduce it's stiffness and to add a tack reducer.  I have oil and this morning added some to the mixture as well as pulled a print to test the ink.

 

Unfortunately, the results were fairly similar this morning though not nearly as bad as yesterday.  The ink still filled in the thin lines and even some of the thicker areas.  The tubing area of the "f" in the image on the right has most of the edges filled in with ink and when printed left small ink peaks on the paper (they remind me of small mountains).  I'm very concerned about the progress of this piece and will need to buy some tack reducer to see if that helps.  Unfortunate, but I'm not going to just push ahead and completely ruin this piece just because I would like to get it moving.

While I'm waiting for the tack reducer, I'll probably start work on the Diner piece and hopeully have a printed image within a couple days.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #sign #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe

Almost printed the next color and then....

Almost......and then I compared the block to the photo again and decided to do a little more carving.  Actually, it turned out to be a considerable amount of carving.

I decided to use the second grey color which was the shadows on the neon tubing as the shadow areas that fell across white parts of the sign.

 

Color swatches of both the 1st and 2nd greys & example photo of the cast shadow areas that Grey #2 was used for.

I'm going to also look at the cast shadows that fall inside the letters before I continue printing.  Technically, the should be the same color as the cast shadow areas that I just carved.  The problem I see though is that the shadow on the tubing is the same exact color and in some cases runs completely through large areas of shadow (which would then completely negate the shadow on the tubing itself).

Decisions, decisions.....

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #sign #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #shadow #carving

Diner - Reduction Linocut update - Carving

Spent a portion of my overly hot afternoon carving away the white areas of the Diner lino that I've started.  I also ripped the necessary paper for the print and now I just need the high heat that we've been having lately to take a break for a little while so that I can get this piece started.

While I'm waiting though, I'll continue to take a glance at this each day to see if there are any areas of white (paper color) that I've missed.

 

Here are two detail shots of some of the areas that I carved out this morning.  Some of these areas are relatively small, but with the help of some new gouges that I received for my birthday this whole process went pretty easily.

First color up on this particular print will be a straight-from-the-can Gamblin Hansa Yellow.  The next color is a much warmer yellow and is already pre-mixed.  The second color will act as the cast shadow(s) on the circles that surround the letters.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #carving #diner #neon #sign #somersetpa

Harley Davidson Cafe - 2nd color printed (light grey)

Even with limited time available this morning I decided to mix up the 2nd color of this reduction linocut.  Didn't take as long as expected so I decided to pull a test print and it actually turned out pretty good so I decided to see how it looked printed.

Worked out pretty well and I'm very happy with it.  I did notice some thinning of the lines after the 5th print so I ran a print of simply newsprint in order to remove the excess ink.  I then went in and wiped down each of the lines to make sure that they were clear of ink.  I had to do it again after the 10th print and managed to print all 12.

Now I get to carve away the rest of the small neon tubing and prepare for the next color which I believe will be a slightly darker grey for the shadows of the tubing and possibly some other areas which I'll need to evaluate before carving.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #neon #sign

Cafe - Carving update

Finished carving away the light grey areas which was a bit trickier than I imagined it would be.  Those neon tubes were rather tricky.  Decided to carve away a little on each tube to act as a highlight.  Not quite sure that that is the direction I should have gone, but I did it and now there is no fixing it.  Each of the tube had different highlights from the sun so I figured I'd give it a shot.

 

The carved neon tube highlights were smaller than that pencil point (which was not sharpened).  I have some clean up to do down in the grooves to make sure there is no loose lino dust that can be pulled out by the brayer during inking and I want to make sure that there are no areas where I may have missed carving.  These steps shouldn't take too long and I should be printing within a day or two.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #sign #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe 

Crazy Cafe Carving...

Started carving away parts of the neon tubing this morning.  Decided to add a shadow to the tubing to give it a little more depth.  These tubes are so tiny and thin that I have a feeling this is going to be very tricky.  One part of me is screaming don't do it while the other side is saying that it could make it look nicer (assuming everything works out).

This is a 9x12 and those tubes are only 3/32's on an inch thick.  Trying to not carve the entire section of tubing away.  Using very sharp tools so that it doesn't pull at the side not being removed and it still seems to shift as I cut through it.  So far though, nothing has popped loose and I'm about to start with the "F".

Detail shot of the "C" carving.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #Cafe #neon #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #carving

Reprinted - Harley Davidson Las Vegas "Cafe" - Reduction Linocut

Harley Davidson Las Vegas Cafe - Reduction Linocut (Reprint)

So I told myself that no matter how hot or humid it was going to be today that I was going to reprint the first grey color.  I pre-mixed the color yesterday and even though it was rather warm today I went for it anyways.  The top print is the original grey and the bottom is the newer lighter grey.

This initial color is of the neon tubing inside of the "Cafe".  The tubes are white, but since the background is white I cannot leave them as that color and they need to be able to stand out from that background so a light grey is what I usually use.  The first time I ran these prints I added probably a little too much black and figured it would be okay.  I realized that it was too dark and added a considerable amount of white back into it, but it didn't due much.  (It's easier to darken a color than it is to lighten it back up.)

I'm going to keep printing both sets though.  The top one will be left as is for the moment as I do like the color for the bottom section of the sign (bottom left corner) and the shadows cast from the neon tubing inside "Cafe".  I'll be starting to carve away parts of the neon tubes within the next couple days and will hopefully get around to the next color shortly there after.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #lightgrey #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #neon #sign

Inks! Preparations for linocut printing.

So I fully intended to print this morning, but the humidity and having some light stuff to do around the house got to me first.  I decided to at least get something done so I pre-mixed some inks for tomorrow morning.  I don't always pre-mix my inks, but I'll admit that it definitely saves time on the day I intend to print.

I do plan on getting up tomorrow and doing 2 things...the first is reprinting the Cafe print with this lighter grey (left...obviously).  The more I look at the other prints the less that I'm happy with them.  I will continue to print them though all the way to the end.  I think that the original grey was too dark for the neon tubing color, but I've always found that this early in printing it's always hard to tell how things are going to work out.

The second thing I plan to get done is the tearing of the paper to the size needed for the Diner print.  That shouldn't take too long, I think it's almost half sheets of paper. which is pretty good.  I also need to come up with a press bed that can be used for unmounted lino pieces.  I have some ideas and just need to visit the local Home Depot or Lowes.

The second color is the second yellow color for the Diner print.  This is the shadow color for the circles that comprise the "Diner".  I'm going to use a straight Gamblin Hansa Yellow for the first color.  I'm at least now 1 step ahead with this print.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #inks #GamblinReliefInks #Grey #Yellow #Cafe #Diner