Diner update

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to everyone.

I printed the 2nd color to the Diner print a couple days back and just haven't had time to post about it.  I did manage a post on Instagram, but nothing here due to how much time I've spent at work this past week.

The images above are both the inked up lino block (on the left) and the printed 2nd color over the initial yellow.  Almost all of the prints are dead on with their registration which is nice.  I think I may have figured out how to finally alter the ink with Tack Reducer so that it's not so darn...well...tacky.

The new yellows that I bought were both Canfield Traditional Relief Inks which I have never tried, but they both worked out real well and I'm happy with my purchase of them.  Will definitely be looking into getting more of them in the future.  They have a very nice consistency and I don't have to use as much Tack Reducer to get them to a point where they don't stick to the lino block.

 

Here is a picture of my setup for printing this block on my press.  Very happy with the Blick 999 press.  Doesn't pull on the paper like the 906 did which allows me to use the Ternes Burton registration pins that I had bought.  I was getting concerned that I had bought them for no reason when the pressure from the press would pull on the paper and cause the plastic registration tabs to stretch.

I've also completed the carving of the Diner block and I'm ready for the printing of the orange for the outside parts of the neon tubing.  I'm just waiting on the recently printed ink to dry up enough for the next printing.  I'm shooting for Thursday to print.

I've also been working with the La Rose Shop tracing still, but have come to an issue which I believe is simply something that is tricking my eyes.  The bricks on the side of the building appear to be going at different vertical angles and I've had to erase all the bricks and re-evaluate where they are and how they look....but, still they look to me as though they are going in weird angles.  I'll figure it out or just force them into the same direction with my pencil.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #reliefprinting #Diner #SomersetPA #carving #inking #CanfieldTraditionalReliefInks #Yellow #DeepYellow #updates

Diner printed and a new project started!

So after purchasing some new ink and hoping for the best with the yellow, I finally got to use my new press for the first time the other night.  I was very excited to actually get to use the press and can't wait to really get things rolling.  Above is the current printed color for the Diner print and I'm currently involved in carving away the yellow areas which is a little more tedious than I hoped, but I caught some areas that I probably would have missed which is good.

Shortly after printing the first color and cleaning off the linoleum, I grabbed my carving tools and got started working.  I really hope that I'll be able to print this coming Thursday, but that will all depend on whether or not the ink dries enough.

 

My progress so far has been pretty good and carving shouldn't take too much longer I think.  Maybe another hour or so of straight carving and I should be ready to print.

If not....then I can always finish the tracing portion of the La Rose Shop which is located in my hometown of Greensburg, PA.  This sign probably hasn't seen actual use in a couple decades and the building that it adorns is currently under renovation and I'm really, really hoping that the sign also gets fixed up and lit up again.

Either way...whether I get to print or not, I'll still have some kind of work to do on Thursday.  Feels good to get things moving again.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #Diner #Yellow #carving #SummitDiner #SomersetPA #LaRoseShop #GreensburgPA #neon #sign #tracing

Quick Cafe update - Things are moving....

So here's a quick update as to the progress on the new Cafe tracing.  Much easier to see the details this time around which is very nice.  I've so far managed the entire word Cafe and some of the surrounding areas.  I'll need to go in either during this portion of the process or after the transfer and make sure that all appropriate areas are marked and the detail are better worked out.

Glad that this piece is moving along quicker than expected.  Should hopefully have the tracing done on Wednesday, but then again...I also work and have to go out at some point for some Christmas presents for my family...

Here's a detail image of the C and the A in the Cafe.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #Cafe #Las Vegas

Been quiet recently..but...

With the coming holidays I've not had much time for printing or anything.  Even prepping new work is a little tough for the moment. 

I did go out and get a new pack of paper to print with and also ordered two new yellows for possible use with the Diner print as well as the appropriate blanket for the press so that I can print.

I decided to redo the Cafe print that failed on me earlier this year.  Only this time it's going to be considerably larger.  The last attempt was 9x12 and this one will be 15.5x19.5 (inches).

I've just started the tracing process of the image and due to the size this should take a couple days....glad to at least get around to doing something.